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Halloween safety starts at home
Trick or treat
The promise of Halloween candy may leave stars in your child's eyes. But Halloween safety still rules.
- Get in on the fun. Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age 12. Pin a piece of paper with your child's name, address and phone number inside your child's pocket in case you get separated. Encourage older kids to trick-or-treat with a group of friends, parents or older siblings. Make sure someone in the group carries a flashlight with fresh batteries.
- Stay close to home. Don't allow your child to go door to door in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
- Set ground rules. If your child will be trick-or-treating without you, establish a route and set a curfew. Review safety rules, including staying with the group, walking only on the sidewalk, approaching only clearly lit homes and never going inside a home. You may want to give your child a cell phone for the evening should he or she need to contact you.
- Inspect the treats carefully. Don't let your child snack while he or she is trick-or-treating. Inspect the treats first — and discard anything that's not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable. If you have young children, weed out gum, peanuts, hard candies and other choking hazards.
- Ration the loot. If your child collects gobs of goodies, dole out a few pieces at a time and save the rest. You may even ask your child if he or she would like to swap some — or all — of the candy for something else, such as a special toy, book or outing.
- Plan a party. Consider planning a trick-or-treat party with a couple of neighbors instead of house-to-house door knocking. Decorate the garages, have a costume contest, and plan games and prizes. This can be safer and healthier, and it allows your child to interact with more children.
A sweet and safe home front
If you'll be handing out treats, make sure you're ready for trick-or-treaters.
- Clean up. Put away anything trick-or-treaters could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Clear wet leaves, snow and ice from the sidewalk.
- Turn the lights on. Replace any burned-out bulbs to ensure good visibility at your door and the walkway leading up to it.
- Control your pets. Take no chances that your pet might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door.
- Consider sugar substitutes. Instead of handing out sugar-laden treats, try stickers, glittery pencils, rubber insects or colored chalk.
If you'll be driving on Halloween, watch for children who might pop out between parked cars. Be especially careful entering or leaving driveways and alleys. Extra caution can help ensure Halloween safety for everyone.
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References
- Tricks, treats, costumes and safety. American Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/october/octtips.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.
- Halloween safety. National Safety Council. http://www.nsc.org/resources/Factsheets/hl/halloween.aspx. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.
- Halloween safety tips. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.cfm. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.
- Safety tips for Halloween. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/treats.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 12, 2008.
