Kids look forward to Halloween for months. Costumes, candy (in moderation, of course) and spooky stories can make for a fantastically fun holiday. Here are a few tips to ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the revelry.
Keep your street smarts.
Pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween. Keep yours safe by remembering the following:
- Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going. Kids under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
- Reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags can help make kids more visible.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
- Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there isn't a sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the road facing traffic.
- Only cross at street corners. Cross as a group and use crosswalks when available. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
- Don't assume the right of way. Drivers may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
Be on the lookout for teal pumpkins.
If your little ghoul or goblin suffers from a food allergy, you already know to be extra careful on Halloween. While you’re going house to house, you might notice several houses with teal pumpkins on their porch. This is a sign that these houses are giving out treats that are allergy-friendly, so keep your eyes peeled. Learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Choose costumes with care.
Costumes shouldn’t hinder your child’s ability to walk or see, so masks and oversized garments should be avoided. KidsHealth has a great checklist of costume safety items to review before heading out for the evening.
Homemade isn’t always best.
We all love treats that are made from scratch with loving care. However, the CDC cautions parents to allow their children to eat only factory-wrapped treats.