Halloween Trick or Treating Safety Tips

Trick or treating is a past time enjoyed by millions of Americans. Children all over the country look forward with anticipation each year to getting dressed up in their costume and collecting their coveted stash of candy. Halloween can be a wonderful opportunity to create memories your child will treasure for a lifetime. However, trick or treating can be potentially dangerous and it is important that you develop safety rules to ensure your child's Halloween goes smoothly.

Regardless of your child's age they should never trick or treat after daylight without an adult. To many people know that children are out trick or treating, for any neighborhood to be safe after dark alone. If your older child insists on going out on their own and you feel they are responsible, plan a route with them ahead of time. This will ensure that you know your child's where abouts. Additionally, always set a curfew that your child must return home by and give them your cell phone in case of an emergency. You should also instruct your children to never take short cuts through fields, alleys or yards. Reinforce with them that their trick or treat route should be well lit and familiar. Most experts recommend that children only visit familiar homes on halloween unless accompanied by an adult. This isn't always a realistic expectation for older children out trick or treating on their own. Make sure that you stress that they should only visit well lit homes and that the entire group of children should stay together at doors and on the route.

Children should also be advised never to eat anything they get trick or treating until they get home and you have checked their candy. Even if they think they are taking something out of the bag that they think they got from a neighbor, they may be confused. Kids get tons of candy on Halloween and once something goes into the trick or treat bag they may get confused as to where they got each treat. Always make sure that your child is visible to traffic. Give them a glow stick, flash light or place reflective tape on their costume. Often glow sticks can be placed on a string and worn as a necklace.

Trick or treating is perfectly safe if proper precautions are taken to ensure your child's safety. Obviously you should reinforce everyday safety rules regarding strangers in addition to these Halloween precautions. You don't want to scare your child, but you do want them to be aware of possible dangers. Educating your children ahead of time will ensure they have a safe and happy Halloween.