Halloween can be an exciting and enjoyable time in a child’s life but for a parent, the holiday can become a bit nerve wracking at times. There are plenty of dangers out on the streets while you’re trick-or-treating with your child but being prepared beforehand can quell some of your anxiety and make October 31st a memorable and fun evening for everyone.
Know The Neighborhood
If you are accompanying your trick-or-treater, map out a route before hand. Things to take into account should be lighting, the distance your youngster can walk and the quality of the neighborhood.
If your children are heading out on their own, make sure they are traveling in a group. It is extremely unsafe for children to travel in groups of 3 or less in many neighborhoods. You should also get their route beforehand just incase an emergency arises and they need to be located and do not have a mobile phone.
Costume Functionality
While some costumes may be great for parties, make sure your trick-or-treater is able to walk comfortably in his or her costume. Bulky costumes can become hazardous to everyone in the dark and could potentially cause injury from falls or burns from jack-o-lanterns.
It is also recommend equipping your child’s costume with reflective devices or glow sticks so that dark costumes can be seen at night. Anything from glow sticks to reflective tape can be beneficial out on the streets at night, especially in areas of heavy road traffic.
In Case Of Emergency
If your children are going alone, include an ICE (In Case of Emergency) phone number in one of their pockets. These are a great security measure at any time, but at Halloween they are vital if your child gets lost or separated from their group.
It’s always a good idea to bring a flashlight with you and your family when you go trick-or-treating, especially if your children are going out by themselves. Another good general rule is to have a small first aid kit incase some takes a fall while out collecting candy.
References
www.e-firstaidsupplies.com
http://www.halloween-safety.com/
