Trick-or-Treating Tips

It's that time of the year again! Time to take then kiddos out in their fancy costumes! Here are some tips to stay safe!

Trick-or-Treating Tips

• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods.
• Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark.
• Take along money for a phone call.
• Wear identification that's easy to read.
• Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult.
• Follow a curfew and take a watch with a backlight.
• Stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
• Walk. No running.
• Don't trample through flower beds and gardens.
• Watch out for open flames in jack-o-Lanterns.
• Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.
• Only visit well lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses.
• Don't enter any houses unless you know the people.
• Carry a spare Halloween bag, in case yours breaks or you fill your original one.
• Don't approach unfamiliar pets and animals.
• Don't cut across yards and stay out of backyards.
• Follow traffic signals and don't jaywalk.
• Always watch for cars backing up or turning.
• Review the "stop, drop and roll" procedure in case your costume catches on fire.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Respect other people and their property.
• Be polite and say "thank you."
• Don't eat any candy until it's inspected for tampering under bright lights.
• Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.
• Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.
• Consider having a party instead of Trick or Treating.

-Denea Duran 

Content Credit: http://www.halloween-website.com/safety.htm                                                                                                                 

Trick-or-Treat Like a Pro

• Bring an adult. Trick-or-treating may for kids, but that doesn't mean they're old enough to do it alone.


• Eat! Having a well-balanced dinner before trick-or-treating helps prevent filling up on candy (and feeling ill).


• Safety is in numbers. If your kids are, in fact, old enough to go it without an adult, then tell them to stay in a group.


• Map it out. Designate a route before your kids begin trick-or-treating, and make sure they stick to it.


• No Shortcuts. Instead of taking short-cuts through secluded areas like parking lots and alleys, have your kids trick-or-treat where there are lots of people around.


• Trick-or-treating Zones. Ensure your kids only visit houses with lights on and Halloween decorations (or other trick-or-treaters).


• Stay outside. Make sure your kids don’t go inside someone’s house. They can get their candy from the porch.


• Remain visible. Dress your kids in a bright costume so others can see them. If their costume is dark, have your kids wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight. Everybody loves glow sticks!


• Shorter = safer. Long costumes are easy to trip over, so try to stick to shorter costumes. If not, then be sure to hem the costume.


• Don't cover the face. Instead of masks, have your kids wear make-up so they can see better.


• Prepare your costume. Other costume considerations include: flame retardant costumes (nylon and polyester are fairly flame-resistant), hypo-allergenic makeup, comfortable shoes, and fake weapons that truly are harmless.


• Quality-check treats. Check your kids’ candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.


• Say "no" to strangers. Tell your kids to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger. Similarly, do not approach unfamiliar pets or animals.


• Watch your step. Be careful to look out for tree roots and curbs, and by all means, do not trample on someone's flower beds.


• Set a curfew. This prevents mucho worrying.


• Call me. Bring a cell phone for easy communication, or some change to use a pay phone.


• What do you say? Thank you. And don't forget it at each house you go to!


• Party on, dude. Consider throwing a Halloween party instead of trick-or-treating. This eliminates many of the common dangers of Halloween.


• Obey the law. Encourage your kids to follow all the regular rules for walking around. That includes looking both ways before crossing, obeying all traffic laws and using cross walks and crossing lights where available.

Sandy Hayden

Safety tips found at: Kaboose, Halloween Web, and KVUE.

Photo Credit: My Remote Radio, ABC News, Youngzine, and Chew on That.