Top Safety Tips for a Trick-Free Halloween

“It takes a village to raise a child” is a proverb that means an entire community of people must interact positively with children for them to grow in a safe and healthy environment. The sentiment is even more true with staying safe on Halloween, which can be a dangerous time of year for kids. Now that the magic of Halloween is in full swing again, it’s time to talk about safety.  

For kids, the question of where to trick-or-treat is often chosen based on where they can get the best candy. Adults can use a “village approach” for keeping children safe while trick-or-treating – and at home. You’ll need a couple of adults to man the house and pass out candy, and then one or two adults assigned to the kids walking around collecting candy. Here are other Halloween safety tips for both parents and children alike.  

Halloween Safety Tips for Homeowners

Before you prep your child for trick-or-treating, make sure your home is hazard-free for those who will be stopping by. Kidshealth.org suggests homeowners should:

• Remove anything that could cause kids to trip or fall on your walkway or lawn
• Keep the lights on outside your house and light the walkway to your door 
• Make sure family pets are kept away from trick-or-treaters, even if they seem harmless to you 

Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of kids being hit by a car and killed is twice as high on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Follow these simple tips to ensure this fun time of year remains safe for the entire family:

• Remain visible: Walk in well-lit neighborhoods. Make sure the kids carry flashlights or wear glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces so they can be seen at all times.
  

• Stay in familiar neighborhoods: Make a trick-or-treating plan before you leave the house and ensure you have a strategy if any of the kids gets lost. Walk on sidewalks on lit streets and avoid alleys or crossing lawns. Move from house to house slowly (don’t run) and if you have to walk on the street, make sure you’re facing traffic. Cross the streets at crosswalks and never assume vehicles will stop.

• Avoid masks: Wearing a mask can be dangerous for a child because it obstructs vision, especially when it’s dark outside. Opt for face paint instead of masks so your kids can see oncoming cars and won’t trip over any cracks or tree roots when walking down sidewalks. 

• Keep kids in groups: No matter the age, kids trick-or-treating should remain in groups, especially if they’re old enough to venture out without an adult. Assign the kids a buddy so they know to stay together and can give a description of their friend’s costume in the case of separation. 
• Inspect your child’s candy: When you get home and before you do anything else, dump the candy out in a well-lit room and inspect it. Discard homemade treats from strangers. Err on the side of caution if a candy wrapper looks off. And if you believe anything has been tampered with, call the police immediately. 

Happy Halloween From All of Us at Bache & Lynch

Halloween is a fun-filled holiday with candy, costumes, pranks and scares. Safety tips are essential to ensure it remains a trick-free time. By following the standard safety protocols, you’ll help keep your kids safe on the spookiest of holidays. Happy Halloween from all of us at Bache & Lynch!