Safe Trick-or-Treating
By Jordan Marston

We can all admit it.  On Halloween, we want treats, and not tricks.  There are a few steps that you can take to make sure that your child has a safe Halloween that is full of treats. 

Have Safe Costumes 

Whether you make or buy your costume, make sure that your costume is safe.  This means that your child should be able to see clearly (even in peripheral vision), and be able to move freely.  Make sure that there aren’t any parts of the costume (like a cape or tail) that drag on the ground and could easily trip your child or a friend. 

Safe costumes involve common sense.  Check the weather before your child leaves to make sure that their costume won’t be too warm or too cold.  Change the clothes underneath the costume accordingly. 

Be Bright 

It takes a bright parent to make sure their kids are bright enough.  If your child is going out after dark, make sure they take a flashlight. Put reflective tape on parts of the costume and the candy bag.  Consider making your child’s costume a light or bright color (for instance, your daughter could be a witch in a green dress instead of a black dress).  Glow sticks often make a great addition to costumes. 

Take your Child 

Your child might want to go trick-or-treating alone or with their friends.  Suggest that you follow at a safe distance behind so that nobody will know that you’re with them, but still in eye-shot.  You can even make going together on trick-or-treating part of the tradition!  This also gives you a great excuse to get dressed up too. 

Check the Candy 

Before your child eats any of the candy brought home, check the candy to make sure that it has not been tampered with.  You can let your child eat some candy while you are trick-or-treating, but only after you have checked it first.  Don’t let your child eat anything homemade, such as a candy apple, unless you know the person who gave it to them, and you were present when the candy was given. 

Model Safe Behaviour 

When you go with your children, explain how to pick the houses to visit.  Go to well-lit houses.  Don’t go if the light is turned off. 

Walk, don’t run, between houses.  Explain why it is safer to walk, and always walk on the sidewalks.  Only cross the street at lights or intersections. 

By following these tips you are sure to have a great Halloween!  Just remember not to eat the candy too quickly! 

About The Author: Jordan Marston is the editor of The Guide to Costumes.  For more information on costume safety, and on how to make or find the best superhero costumes, check out the Guide to Costumes. http://www.theguideto-costumes.com/safety 

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