Halloween is such a fun time of the year for children and adults alike; but when children
encounter tricks instead of treats, this holiday can become very scary –
and not just because of the decorations and frightening costumes.
Abductions, bullying, candy that has been compromised; these are all
things that can make Halloween a dreadful holiday for anyone.
In order to keep your kids safe this Halloween, educate them before
they put on their costumes and start knocking on the neighbors doors.
Here are 5 tips that can help keep those little ninjas, ghosts, and ghouls
safe this – and every – Halloween.
Plan a Route.
Before your kids hit the town to gather goodies, plan a route for
them. It should be one that leads them through well-lit areas that
are heavily populated. The lighter the area and the more people around,
the less likely there will danger lurking. Make sure to discuss the route
with your kids beforehand in case you get separated or you allow your
children to trick or treat with friends.
Give them a Cell Phone.
You may not want your kids to have a cell phone on a regular basis,
but on Halloween, you might want to make an exception.
Pre-program the phone with emergency contact numbers so that
if there is an emergency, your child will be able to easily call for help.
Also, it will allow you to call and check up on your child at regular
intervals. If you allow them the freedom to trick-or-treat with friends,
you’ll still be able to call or facetime to keep a watchful eye, or ear, on them.
Talk to Your Child About Potential Dangers.
Discuss possible scenarios that could occur that would be dangerous.
For example, what they should do if someone tries to ask them to get
into their car, or go into their house to get more candy? Provide them
with the right response so that they know how to react and so that they
can avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Light them Up.
This is our new favorite idea for Halloween! Give your children
flashlights or have them wear glow bracelets or necklaces while
they are trick-or-treating. Doing so will allow them to not only see
what is around them, but will allow others to easily see them.
Cars can be a particular danger while walking on dark streets;
lighting up your kids will make them more visible to drivers.
Besides, who doesn’t love glow bracelets?!
Don’t Eat Candy!
Of course, children are going to find it difficult to keep their goodies
out of their mouths; however, parents really need to stress the importance
of waiting until they get home to eat their candy. Once they get home,
you can inspect them to make sure they are safe. Spread the candy out
and go through it together. Remove anything that is unwrapped or looks
questionable. And while homemade treats may seem like a nice gesture,
there is no telling what is inside of them, so nix them. A great way to
get kids on board with this idea is having a challenge to see who collect
the most candy. They’ll be excited to count it at the end of the night
and will be less tempted to eat it while trick or treating.
We hope your kids have fun this Halloween. By following these 5 tips,
you can ensure that they have plenty of treats and avoid any tricks.
Let us know what tips your family uses to keep your kiddos safe!