October is the month for ghosts and goblins, and chances are, you’ve already bought that costume for your little trick or treater. What a fun time for everyone involved – parents, kids, and those handing out treats! A little “thank you” from a spooky monster is a treat for the ones answering the door. The only thing the children are interested in is filling their bags or plastic pumpkins with goodies; however, safety experts recommend that before October 31st, parents start talking to their children about Halloween safety. Here’s some tips for parents to remember when they are driving their kids to Trick or Treat:
Drive slowly
Be careful entering and exiting your driveway
Do not place children in the back of a pickup truck
Watch for children darting from behind parked cars
Caution your Trick or Treaters to:
Never accept rides or treats from strangers in cars or trucks
Be careful around animals, even their own. Costumes may scare some pets
Go only to houses with porch lights on
Walk, don’t run!
Look both ways when crossing streets
Wait to eat candy after they get home and you have inspected it
Parents should also:
Accompany children under age 12
Never let them go alone (if they are older, the buddy system works best!)
See that their costumes are flame retardant and do not drag on the ground, and that their masks don’t restrict their vision
Consider using face paint instead of masks
Use reflective tape or reflective stickers to make them easily visible
Choose light-colored costumes
Have them carry a flashlight or glow stick
Know the routes older children plan to take
Put pets in a quiet room, away from the excitement
Consider using battery-operated LED lights rather than candles
Inspect all candy and treats and discard any that appear to be slightly unwrapped or tampered with
Discard any candy that might present a choking hazard for little ones
If older children are attending a Halloween party, be certain that there will be adult supervision. By planning ahead, you will be doing your part to ensure that it is a safe and fun night for everyone!
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