Embracing the spooky spirit of Halloween should always come with a side of safety. Whether you’re a family with little ones or a group of adventurous teens, ensuring a ghoulishly good time means prioritizing precautions. Here are 7 Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating tailored for families, kids, and teens.
7 Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
1. Plan Your Route
Trick or treat in neighborhoods you are familiar with and always use sidewalks and crosswalks. Make sure the entire family knows the route and if older children are going with friends make sure to set a designated time to be home by. This is the time to choose a route with minimal street crossings. But if crossing is necessary always stick to sidewalks, crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street. Avoid walking across lawns and alleyways!
2. Wear Reflective Clothing
Wear bright clothing when possible or buy reflective tape to add to your costume for greater visibility. Add reflective tape to any bags or backpacks too. Additionally, avoid wearing masks as they obstruct views and make it harder for kids to see their surroundings. Glow stick bracelets or necklaces are also a great addition for added visibility.
3. Stick Together.
Trick-or-treat as a family or as a large group. If older kids go with friends make sure they have a cell phone so they’re able to contact you if they need to. Follow the typical trick-or-treat hours, usually between 5:30-8:30pm, and avoid taking shortcuts or going off route.
4. Avoid Certain Houses
A porch light usually means that a house is participating in trick or treating so skip houses that aren’t well lit or have their porch light off. Never enter a stranger’s house, backyard, or vehicle, even if they seem friendly.
5. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Costumes
Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate costumes. Avoid carrying unnecessary accessories like swords or wands. Also, ensure your costumes aren’t too long or heavy, to avoid tripping.
6. Wait to Eat Your Candy.
Don’t eat any candy as you go! Wait until you’re home and have had a change to go through the candy with parents. This is the time to throw out anything open or potential choking hazards for small children.
7. Make Your Home Safe
Ensure the lights are on. Remove any debris or tripping hazards from your lawn and porch. Illuminate walkway to make it safe for trick-or-treaters
And lastly, have fun. Let’s make this Halloween a hauntingly safe one!
Looking for some Halloween crafts? Check out these fun lollipop ghosts and these Halloween lanterns.