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Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Children

We are only two days away from the exciting holiday of Halloween!  In order to make this holiday safe and fun, it is important to be aware of some unique dangers associated with Halloween. In this article I will provide some basic safety tips as well as some tips on how to prevent your kids from overloading on candy.

Pumpkins:

There are many traditions associated with Halloween.  One of the most common traditions is to carve pumpkins.  It is highly important that children be well supervised while carving pumpkins.  Also young children should not be allowed to use sharp instruments while carving pumpkins.  If you are not comfortable having your kids carve pumpkins there are many other ways you can keep the pumpkin tradition alive.  You can paint your pumpkin instead or many craft stores sell foam stickers especially designed for Halloween to decorate your pumpkin.

Costumes:

It is very important that you make sure that your child’s costume fits properly.  Make sure articles of clothing are not too baggy or that parts of their costume are dangling causing them to trip while walking.  It is also important to make sure that masks or anything that goes over their head is not obscuring vision (especially peripheral vision.)

Trick-Or-Treating:

1) Make sure that if you are allowing trick-or-treaters to come to you house that you have your porch light on and that your Jack-o-Lantern is not in a place where kids can trip over them (which could cause their costume to ignite.)  Also, make sure that outside decorations are not in a place where kids can trip.

2) Teach kids about the dangers of talking to strangers, getting into a car with strangers, going to unknown homes or homes where there is no porch light on.  Unfortunately, we live in a dangerous world and times have really changed.  Maryland recently implemented a law that all registered sex offenders need to put signs on their doors letting kids know that they are not giving out candy.  There might be other states that have implemented this rule but to be safe tell kids to stay away from unknown houses.

3) Teach kids about the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street.  Cars can appear suddenly and it can be difficult to see children at night especially if they are wearing dark costumes.  It can be helpful to put reflective tape on costumes and to provide children with flashlights as well.

4) Overall, it is really no longer safe to send kids out on their own to trick-or-treat.  It is highly recommended that parents go along with their children trick-or-treating.  If for some reason you can’t go along, try to arrange for your kids to go with another parent, older sibling, or teenager whom you trust.  Make sure you set a curfew for your child and make sure they know the importance of being home at the specific time you set. Some other ideas are to only allow your child to go trick-or-treating during day light hours or to attend community trick-or-treating events. Many churches and malls offer trick-or-treating which may be a safer idea depending on where you live.

Candy:

1) Please note that there is a recall this year on the Pirate’s Gold chocolate candy coins that are sold at Costco and possibly at other large retail stores.  These candies were made in China and according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency contain small traces of Melamine (the substance that was found in baby formula in China causing many children to die from kidney failure and other complications.)

2) Make sure that you inspect all candy before your children eat it.  If candy looks suspicious throw it away.  Many police departments have the ability now to x-ray candy if you feel it is needed.

3) Make sure young children are supervised while eating candy (lollipops and other chokeable candies.)

4) Children are less likely to consume large amounts of candy if they eat dinner before trick-or-treating.  Why not make them a special Halloween dinner before trick-or-treating?

5) Set a limit with kids before they trick-or-treat on how much candy they are allowed to consume each day.  Place candy out of their reach so they can’t help themselves to candy during the day or when you turn your back for that quick second.

Overall, a lot of these tips are common sense.  But when you follow them, they will help ensure that the whole family has a fun and safe Halloween!!  Enjoy and be safe!

-Jennifer Molinari, LCPC, NCC