Halloween Safety for Teens and Pets

Halloween is a time to make fun out of scary things none of us wants our trick or treat outing to become scary in reality. Most Halloween safety tips are common sense still older children who may be trick or treating with younger kids may need to be reminded of the basics. There has been a trend the last few years to go to 'bigger and better" neighborhoods in order to get more Halloween loot.

Parents need to remind themselves (because you drive them there) and their kids they should only trick or treat in areas they know. If you're older child decides to venture to the neighborhood in the 'better part" of town for trick or treating make sure they take a cell phone and wait until you examine the loot before they consume it. Teenaged drivers who are taking out their younger siblings; need to be reminded again and again to keep their lights on and drive slowly on streets teeming with excited children. They must be alert and not texting their friends, an extra eye is needed for little goblins who run in front of cars on Halloween.

Halloween is on a Saturday this season. That means that teens and adults will be attending Halloween parties. If you're teen are having a party and you plan to be elsewhere check up on them often to make sure no one has spiked the Halloween punch. If you plan to drink designate a driver. Drinking and wearing Halloween costumes that may limit vision can be a lethal combination on this night. It is best to be sober on a night that so many children are known to be running the street.

Most kids are best to pick a costume that allows them to be seen by drivers. Since some folks use candles still in their Halloween decorations; a costume should be flame retardant and masks should not block the child's vision in any significant way.

You are best to also abide by your communities set trick or treating hours. Disturbing homeowners after the designated hours can cause problems for teens . If your teen is really too old to trick or treat let them help hand out candy or hold a Halloween party that you supervise. This will cut down on any teen temptation to engage in behavior that many consider vandalism or the possibility or your teen becoming a victim of random gang violence.

Pets also need extra protection at Halloween. They can become targets of not so funny Halloween pranks. Keep your porch cats in on Halloween night, as the extra traffic alone can make them more likely to be run over. Black cats especially are at risk for maltreatment by kids and even some sick adults at Halloween time.

Keep your dog in the back of the house when the trick or treaters are at the door. You may want to park your dog at a relatives or neighbors who is not giving out candy if they will bark and become agitated every time the door bell rings. This will save your sanity and the dog's sanity as well. Remind kids not to share Halloween treats with their pets as things like chocolate can actually kill dogs.

Use common sense with your pets and teens at Halloween and you will have a ghoulishly good Halloween.
http://www.modernlife.org/all_staples1999to2000/1999Months/Octoberissue/TeensSafeHalloween.htm

http://www.halloween-safety.com/halloween_safety_pets.html