Halloween night is an exciting night for kids, and it's fun for parents, too. Eating too much candy or getting a bellyache may be the most pressing concern on a parent's mind when it comes to Halloween safety, but there are other dangers to consider. Heavy costumes, masks that limit vision, candles in jack-o-lanterns and cars all over the road can all be potential safety hazards for trick-or-treating children.
Choose Safe Costumes
Your child's costumes should be fire-retardant, in case they brush over a lit jack-o-lantern. Make sure the costume fits loosely enough that clothing can be worn beneath it, and that it isn't so long that a child can trip on the costume and fall. Look for costumes that are reflective so children are easy to see in the dark; otherwise, apply a piece of reflective tape to the front and back of the costume. Opt for masks that offer large holes for the eyes so that your child's vision isn't limited. Or, get creative and use face paint and makeup instead of a mask.
Watch Out for Fire Hazards
Paper bags, votives and jack-o-lanterns are festively lit with candles on Halloween night, and often decorate sidewalks, stairs and porches. Bags of candy, costume accessories and trailing cloth on costumes can easily fall on candles and catch fire, so make children steer clear of all candles and fire hazards. Teach your children what to do if their costumes do catch fire--stop, drop and roll.
Be Safe on the Streets
Know the neighborhoods and houses you visit for trick-or-treating, and that you have a planned route for the night. Schedule trick-or-treating while it's still light out, rather than walking around in the dark--but carry a flashlight just in case it gets dark while you're still outside. Always watch out for cars and traffic, and stick to sidewalks and streets that are well-lit.
Provide Supervision
Never let young children go trick-or-treating alone; a responsible teenager or adult must accompany children while trick-or-treating. If your children are old enough to trick-or-treat alone (usually around age 12 or so, says the National Safety Council), tell them exactly where they are allowed to go and what time they should be home. It's also a good idea to write down your child's name, phone number and address on a piece of paper and pin it to the inside of the costume.
