Halloween night comes once a year. In the hurry to get your children into costume and hustle everyone out of the house, don't forget to think and talk through some safety rules. Keep your little ghouls safe by reviewing some common mistakes that parents make on Halloween.
No Rules
A good plan for Halloween should include a curfew and communication. If your child is old enough to go without you, give him a set time to be home and a required phone call check-in time (or two) for the night.
No Safety Gear
Before your child leaves the house, make sure he has a handheld flashlight, a map and an emergency contact number or meeting spot. It's better to have these things and not need them than to need them and not have them.
Unfamiliar Neighborhood
Know the neighborhood where your child will be trick or treating. Since the safety of a neighborhood can vary from block to block, drive through the neighborhood ahead of time so you'll know where to go and where to avoid.
No Warnings About Treats
While most of the stories of poisoned or tampered-with candy are false, it's better to be safe than sorry. Tell your child not to eat loosely wrapped or unwrapped candy, homemade treats or items that look like they may have been tampered with. The best rule is that your child cannot eat any candy until it has passed your inspection.
No Phone Numbers
Regardless of whether or not your child is carrying a phone, if your child is old enough to trick or treat without you, have her friends' phone numbers, as well as the phone numbers of her friends' parents.
Driving
Just because your child is old enough to drive, that doesn't mean that Halloween night is the time for him to get behind the wheel. While trick or treaters are often on foot, there are still plenty of cars driving from party to party, which means greater opportunity for accidents and contact with other drivers who have been drinking. Consider being the chauffeur for your teen and his friends.
Gorging on Candy
Halloween is seen as a night of indulgence. With sacks full of candy that may not be allowed at other times, Halloween sets the stage for overeating. Let your child eat only one more piece of candy than he might on a regular night. That will teach him about moderation and may be helpful later when he's making his own decisions about eating.
Inappropriate Costumes
Halloween is the night for your child to express her fantasies. However, costumes that show too much skin, that might be offensive to others, or that aren't warm enough aren't appropriate. Help her decide on a costume that makes her happy and keeps her healthy. If the costume includes a headdress, make sure it doesn't block your child's visibility.
No Planned Route
It's generally dark when kids hit the streets ready to fill their buckets with goodies. In darkness, even the most familiar streets can look different. Make sure your child knows where she is going, and how to get back home.
No Party at Home
Halloween can happen at home, too. With a little planning and a few games, you can turn your house into a Halloween party and ensure the safety and whereabouts of not only your child, but also her friends as well. Homemade decorations and some dim lighting can create a spooky atmosphere.
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