Safe Trick or Treating Tips

By Leanne Shelton

As a kid, I never really enjoyed Halloween. Sure, I dressed up and went out trick or treating, but it wasn’t that much fun to me. I’m learning to enjoy it now that I am a parent. More than anything, I love the excitement on my boys’ faces when they are deciding what they’ll be, then later getting dressed up and ready to go out. And I wouldn’t dare squash their joy.

They are still young enough that we go trick or treating with them. Taking three kids out to knock on doors and get candy can be quite stressful. It’s quite the balance between letting them be kids and be excited while still making sure they are safe. Whether or not you are accompanying your child(ren) trick or treating, there are a lot of good safety tips to keep in mind to make sure everyone has a FUN and SAFE time.

Kids should stay with a group of people, especially if you they are not with their parents.

Keep your head up when you walk. Do not look at your phone while walking.

Walk on sidewalks. Cross only at properly marked intersections. Do not cross in between parked cars. It’s dark and drivers may have a hard time seeing someone behind or in front of a parked car.

Only approach houses with porch lights on. Never enter a stranger’s home. Stay in familiar areas.

Keep a charged cell phone with you in case of emergency.

Carry flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see you easier.

Add reflective tape to costumes for higher visibility.

Make sure your kids know their address and phone number in case they need to give that info to the police.

Have a plan set with your children before you leave explaining which route you will take. If you are not accompanying them, have a place and time set to meet/come home.

Make sure your child’s costume fits properly to reduce the risk of falling/tripping. If they are wearing a mask, make sure they can clearly see out of it.

Check your child’s candy for any pieces that have been tampered with or are open. Also check to make sure they don’t have any candy that they are allergic to.

If you are going to be driving during trick or treating hours, please be careful. Slow down in residential areas. Stay off of your phone. Take extra time to look for kids crossing the street. Remember kids are very excited on Halloween and sometimes their movements can be unpredictable. Be cautious and be ready.

For more information, contact Shoen Safety and Training. To learn CPR and First Aid and become American Red Cross certified, register for a CPR/First Aid class with Shoen Safety and Training. There are a lot of options available to fit your schedule. The peace of mind that you’ll get from knowing how to respond in an emergency situation is priceless.