Halloween Safety Tips For Kids

We all love Halloween. It's a fun time, no matter- Only trick or treat at houses where the outside
how old you are. It's even more fun for children.lights are on. If they are off, the people in that
We want our kids to have fun but we want themhouse are not welcoming trick or treaters.
to be safe too. These tips will help your children- Children should walk on the sidewalk. If there
to have a wonderful, safe Halloween.isn't a sidewalk, walk close to the edge of the
- If you will be giving out treats from your house,road. Do not run out between parked cars and do
make sure you keep your pets in a differentnot run.
room. You don't want them frightening children or- Instruct your child not to eat any candy until
worse, biting them. Halloween costumes canthey get home and it can be checked by you.
frighten and confuse animals and they may try to- Obey the city laws and only trick or treat during
protect you from that "monster." You also do notthe allotted times.
want to take the chance of your pets running out- If you plan to make your child's costume, use
the door.bright colors or add reflective tape to it. You can
- Keep candle lit jack o lanterns away fromfind reflective tape at Sporting Goods stores,
where a child could knock it over or brush upwherever bikes are sold and Hardware stores.
against it. A better idea would be not to use- It's better for visibility to use make-up instead
candles at all for your jack o lanterns, but put aof masks. If you really want a mask, make sure
flashlight or small battery operated light inside theit fits snuggly and the eyeholes are big enough
pumpkin.and positioned where the child can see out of it.
- Put away anything else that is on your porch or- Wear good fitting sneakers or walking shoes
lawn, that a child could trip over.while trick or treating.
- It goes without saying that young children should- Costumes should be comfortable and not so
only go trick or treating with an adult or along that the child will trip on it.
responsible older child. Older children should go with- Any accessories taken, should be soft and
at least one other friend, and preferably go inflexible. No real swords or knives.
groups.- Do have your child carry a flashlight.
- Children should never enter houses while trick orHopefully this list does not seem too long and
treating, unless they know and trust the residentsobtrusive. A lot of it is common sense but when
of the house.kids are excited, they may not remember these
- When trick or treating without a parent, childrenthings. It's up to us as parents to remind and
should only got to houses where they know theteach our children how to be safe.
residents.