What’s scarier than a vampire or a ghost? A Halloween injury!
But with a little planning and thought, you can make sure the only frightening aspects of Halloween are the people dressed as clowns and Elmo. Here are a few tips to remember as you and your kids go on the hunt for candy this year:
- Bring a flashlight. This year, the sun will begin to set around 6:15 p.m. A good flashlight will let you see each other, cracks or bumps in the sidewalk as well as any other hazards. Lots of people use their phone’s flashlights, but they really do drain the battery, so we recommend a good old-fashioned low-tech flashlight. And for the nerdy/safety-conscious combo, we love miner’s lamps.
- Reflective clothing. Light-colored costumes are awesome. But for witches, vampires and Batman, the costumes are typically all dark. Have no fear; all it takes is some reflective tape placed on the back. You can also purchase reflective armbands, especially sold with bicycle supplies. Remember those light-up shoes? This is a great night to wear them!
- Mask management. Sometimes, the mask really does make the costume. But masks that obscure vision are really dangerous for everybody, especially small children. Try to do face painting instead. If the mask is non-negotiable, maybe just let the child wear it before approaching the house and lift it up as you walk between houses.
- Examine your child’s treats before they are allowed to eat them. This is especially true for children with allergies. But, obviously, all treats should look clean and unopened.
How to be a safe HALLOWEEN HOMEOWNER:
- If you’re giving out candy, be sure your outside light is on and provides maximum illumination. If you don’t want to participate in giving out treats, simply turn your light off.
- Be sure the path to your door is well-lit and free of obstacles and debris. Decorations should be visible but not impede the progress of kids.
- If you have stairs to your front door, you might want to stand outside and descend to give out treats to limit kids’ exposure to your steps (and your exposure to their falls).
- Be a good host and give out sealed, small treats.
- If you know you have neighbors with food allergies, consider distributing little stickers or temporary tattoos, or other non-food treats. Everybody likes those and parents approve, too.
- Keep dogs inside, but they can be visible. Unless your dogs can handle a crowd, don’t bring them outside to be petted. Be sure your dog doesn’t have access to the candy as chocolate is extremely lethal for dogs.
Halloween is a great time to connect with neighbors and celebrate Fall. Let’s all be safe out there!
