Halloween is October 31st, a time for fun with friends, family, and neighbors with children trick-or-treating door-to-door.  Most people are friendly and nice but there are some who play cruel tricks on children and ruin the good time.

You can help make the evening of Halloween a safer event for everyone.  Even those who do not take part in the event can help by watching out for trick-or-treaters.  Parents should bear in mind that "fake" weapons such as guns, knives, and swords should be of materials that are, smooth, soft, and flexible to prevent injuries.  Props for children that actually look like a real weapon should be avoided completely.

 

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters: 

• Be part of a group and do not stray from the group, there is safety in numbers.
   
• Do not enter the home of a stranger.
   
• Never accept rides from strangers.
   
• Look both ways before crossing the street and cross when the pedestrian crosswalk light signals you to walk.
   
• Carry flash lights so you can be easily seen.
   
• Do not take shortcuts through backyards, parks, or alleys.
   
• Be alert, have fun but do not let your guard down.

Safety Tips for the House:

• Keep a porch light on so trick-or-treaters will know to visit and can see where they are walking.
   
• Remove yard clutter that trick-or-treaters may trip over.
   
• Secure your pets to protect both the visitors and your pets.
   
• Use battery powered Jack-O-Lanterns instead of ones with candles.  If you do use candles, make sure they are far enough out of the way so that kids' costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.
   
• Avoid giving homemade treats.  Responsible parents do not allow their children to eat them unless they know the person making them.

Safety Tips for Parents:

• Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
   
• Kids always want to help with pumpkin carving.  Small children should not be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face.  There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better than knives and they are also safer.  Although, you can be cut by these small saws as well.  It is best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on the front, which you can carve for them.
   
• Check your child's candy before they consume it.  Anything suspicious should be discarded!
   
• Feed your children before they set out.  This should help discourage them from trying their treats before you are able to check them.
   
• Know where your child is and whom they are with.
   
• Buy flame retardant costumes and consider using make-up rather than masks.  A mask may obscure your child's vision.
   
• Costumes should be light in color or have reflective tape put on them.
   
• Costumes should be made from light materials to avoid dehydration and other heat related issues.
   

Make Halloween a fun, safe, and happy time for your kids and they will carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!

Kids love Halloween!  They get to dress up and get free candy!  What a perfect holiday!  give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they will have for life.  Trick-or-treating is not what it use to be.  It is not as safe to let kids walk the streets alone.  Send a responsible adult or older teenager with them.  Have a pumpkin carving party for your children and their friends a couple nights before Halloween.  they will enjoy looking at their creations for a few days before they have to be thrown out.  Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cookbooks full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.