Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween from Connect Realty

Costumes, candy and fun with friends and family are just a few things that make Halloween an exciting day for kids!  However, with all of the excitement, sometimes we tend to use less caution than normal. Everyone wants to have a safe and happy Halloween for themselves, their guests, and most of all, their children.  Here are a few safety tips for both parents and children that will help you make the most of the Halloween season.

For Kids:

Trick-or-Treat in areas where there are a lot of people around, and only at homes that have their porch lights on.  Avoid taking short cuts through alleys or dark places.

Follow all regular rules for walking around the streets.  Look both ways before crossing the street, obey traffic laws, and use cross walks.

Never go inside a stranger’s house.  For young children, make sure parents are within sight before ringing a stranger’s door bell.

Wear costumes made of fire-retardant materials.  Make sure to wear bright, reflective costumes, or add strips of reflective tape to make sure you’re visible.

Make sure costumes aren’t too long or baggy to avoid tripping.

Don’t obscure your vision.  Wear makeup and hats rather than masks that can prohibit clear vision.

Don’t wear decorative contact lenses unless you have seen an eye care professional for proper lenses and instruction.

Some Halloween makeup and color additives can cause allergic reactions on your skin, so read the labels and test any products out beforehand.

Don’t start snacking on your candy until Mom and Dad have inspected it!

For Older Children:

If you are going out with friends, make sure parents know where you’re going and who you’re going with.

If driving, ensure that you have enough gas to get there and back.

For older children trick or treating, use flashlights and stay on sidewalks.

Halloween pranks continue to be popular among older children, but can be costly and result in serious fines or even jail time.

Remember, there is truth to what is said about safety in numbers.  If you’re old enough to trick-or-treat without parental supervision, stay in a group.  Carry cell phones in case there is an emergency.

For Parents:

Remove choking hazards from young children.

Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.  Throw away any candy that is not commercially wrapped.

Establish a curfew for older children going out or those trick-or-treating alone.  Have a phone close by in case they call with an emergency.

Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks.  Place jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.

If driving, watch for children in the street and on medians.  Drive below the speed limit around children and use extra caution.

If driving younger children around who are trick-or-treating, have them get out of the car on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

Although many of these tips are just common sense, they are important reminders for keeping Halloween a fun, safe and happy holiday. Trick or Treat!