How To Keep Kids Safe This Halloween

Halloween is a holiday tailor-made for kids with costumes, parties, and of course, free candy. Trick-or-treating isn’t what it used to be. For some, towns end trick-or-treat too early in the evening, and kids don’t have much time to hit up as many houses as they did years ago. For others, trunk-or-treating has taken over. Still, trick-or-treating isn’t dead and buried yet, and if your children intend to roam the neighborhood to load up on as much candy as possible, here are a few tips to ensure they have a safe, fun, spooktacular time.

Practice Safety When Walking

Walking around the neighborhood or town requires paying attention to your surroundings, but it can be difficult as darkness sets in and kids wear costumes and masks that might obscure their vision. So, teach your kids to keep their heads up and their eyes peeled when coming up to the corner and crossing the street. Furthermore, if your child is wearing a mask, it’s a good habit to remove it when nearing a crosswalk or crossing the road so they can see unimpaired. Another safety tip is to put the phones away when trick-or-treating. It’s tempting for kids to want to share their night out with friends or social media, but if they’re spending too much time with their heads down looking at their phones, they’re not paying attention to their surroundings, which can be dangerous. Finally, if your child is under 12, it’s best to escort them while trick-or-treating. However, if your child is older and “too cool” to hang out with mom or dad, insist that they travel with a group of trusted friends and stick to familiar, populated areas where help could be readily available if needed. Your child’s safety should always be the main priority, even at fun events.

Pick Safe Costumes

Perhaps the most fun about Halloween is dressing up as your favorite character or monster, but be cautious when choosing what your child will wear when they go out trick-or-treating. Don’t be shy about using reflective tape on shoes and goodie bags. Also, consider using makeup or face paint for your child’s costume instead of a mask that might hinder their vision. If you’re purchasing a costume for your child, ensure it fits properly to prevent trips and falls. Besides reflective tape, have your kids carry flashlights or glow sticks to increase their visibility.

Check the Candy

The idea that nefarious people are poisoning children’s Halloween candy is mostly an urban legend; it’s still better to be safe than sorry. When your children get home after trick-or-treating, make sure you go through their candy and check that all the wrappers are intact and if anything looks suspicious, throw it out.

The Final Roundup

Traditional trick-or-treating may be waning in popularity, but many children still enjoy it, and it brings back fond memories for parents. If your kids will be going door-to-door this Halloween, keep these basics in mind:
– If your child is under 12, have an adult accompany them
– Plan a costume that’s well-fitting and preferably relies on face paint instead of a mask
– Use reflective tape on bags, shoes, and costumes, and have the children carry flashlights or glow sticks
– Be alert near intersections and sidewalks
– If your child is over 12, know who they’re going out with and what time they’ll be home
– Only go to houses with the porch lights on
– Stick to a planned, trusted area

Although the way children get candy for Halloween may be changing, whether your kids go trick-or-treating or trunk-or treating, following these essential tips will ensure they have fun and stay safe.

About Us

Kids R’ Kids at Avalon Park wants your children to have a safe, fun Halloween. We’re a family-owned facility operated by residents to give your children an excellent head start on their educational journey through creative, fun, and technologically driven programs. Our staff is dedicated and highly trained, and we have convenient drop-off and pick-up times with flexible hours. If you’d like more information about how Kids R’ Kids Learning Academy can make a difference in your child’s education, contact us at 407-306-9035 or fill out our online form today.