Halloween is near and it’s one of the most exciting times of the year for our little ones. But it can and should be fun for parents too! Take your stress levels down a notch and ensure your whole family has a fun, safe Halloween with these 4 tips:
1. Triple check that your child’s costume is safe to wear
Halloween safety starts at home! When shopping for or DIY-ing your child’s costume, be sure to keep the following things in mind:
- Is the costume the right size?
Ensure that the hems of your child’s costume are kept well above the ground to prevent them from tripping over any extra fabric or limiting their range of motion when trick-or-treating. - Is your child’s mask fitted?
While the mask undoubtedly completes the costume, check how it fits against your child’s face before sending them off to school, child care, or the trick-or-treating route. Poorly-fitted masks can obstruct your child’s vision and, potentially, their breathing. For a safer alternative, try non-toxic face paint or make-up! - Would drivers find it hard to spot your child trick-or-treating at night?
If your child’s costume is dark or hard to see at night, consider adding reflective tape to their treat bag and jacket to ensure that they are clearly visible to drivers at all times. Flashlights and glow sticks work great too.
2. Inspect your children’s candy at home
Before letting your child taste test their treats, examine the loot in a well-lit area — preferably, at home. Check for any packages that look like they may have been tampered with and chuck out any treats that aren’t in their original packaging. Be sure to check the ingredient list too if your child has food allergies or sensitivities. Many treats aren’t made in a nut-free facility and it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
3. Follow the rules of the road
Seeing a well-lit, well-decorated house on the other side of the road is super tempting for our little ones on Halloween, but that doesn’t mean the rules of the road should be broken! Treat crossing the road like you would any other day. Set a good example by not jaywalking and only crossing at established crosswalks.
4. Tag along with your kids and move in groups
We always recommend that children under 12 go trick-or-treating with their parents. In case of an emergency, you’ll want to bring a fully charged phone with you. Be sure that your child knows your cell/home phone number and home address by heart, in case they get lost or separated from you for any reason.
For older kids who are going out on their own, parents should consider:
- Planning their route with them in advance
- Setting a curfew
- Providing them with a fully charged cell phone in case of an emergency
- Gathering the cell phone numbers of your children’s friends/parents who may be going along with them
- Ensuring that they’re traveling in a group of 3 or more
- Reminding them to never enter a stranger’s home
Wishing all our families a fun and safe Halloween this year! We can’t wait to see the costumes your little ones wear to YMCA Child Care and Before & After School Programs.
