How to Keep Your Children Safe This Halloween by Giving Back to Others
This many not be the classic trick or treat chant, but it is one that parents should take to heart. Halloween is a time of late night walks, scary images and free candy. As much as parents would like to believe they know neighbors, there is always a chance of danger when children are taking candy from strangers. This Halloween, parents can increase the safety of their children by taking a new stance on Halloween. Instead of gathering candy, why not give something back?
Taking Candy from Strangers is Exactly What We Taught Them Not to Do
Parents go back on every safety ideal on Halloween. Throughout life, parents teach children to never take candy from strangers, yet we dress up our children to walk from door to door with the explicit idea of asking strangers for candy. Then, after coming home from miles of walking, we sort through the baskets and buckets and take out any candy that "appears" to be unsafe. Even wrapped candy can be tainted with a hypodermic needle and that is one threat many parents are not willing to take. Instead of dressing children up to walk from door to door asking for candy, why not approach Halloween safety from a different angle this year and give back to those who give out candy every year?
How Can a Child Give Back to Others to Increase Halloween Safety?
A few days before Halloween, have children gather together and make pictures or notes on Halloween themed note cards. No name will be placed on the envelopes, but a funny message following the Halloween theme is perfect. When children go door to door, typically asking for candy, they can hand the card to the person answering the door and thank them for celebrating the holiday - leaving the candy behind.
Younger children may not understand the meaning behind offering thanks to others, but older children will get the idea. Parents can make the process even more exciting by planning a Halloween party at home complete with tons of candy and Halloween themed treats. This way, children are not taking candy from strangers, but they still get to take part in some sweet treats this scary season.
Published by Summer Banks - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness and Lifestyle
Summer Banks is a medical assistant with four years college nursing education. She is a senior health writer for Dietspotlight.com and Featured Contributor in Women s Health, Parenting and Dating & Relations... View profile
How to Decorate a Trick-or-Treat BagInnovative and inexpensive ways to coordinate a trick-or-treat bag to any costume with some thrift store purchases or hand decorating.- Tips for Safe Trick or Treat TrailsHow to plan a safe trick or treat route for your children.
To Trick or Treat; That is the Question!Trick or treating as we know it may be coming to an end, but there are ways for your child to still have great Halloween fun and still be safe.
Trick or Treat Times in Dayton, OH 2009List of times for trick or treat in Dayton, Oh communities for Halloween 2009.
Safe Trick-or-Treating GuideTrick or treat safety starts with planning a safe trick or treat route. This is a guide to help parents with safe trick or treating.
- Trick or Treat for Charity
- Tips for Decorating Your Trick-or-Treat Sack
- Halloween Safety for Your Dog
- Midwest Rain Brings Kids Inside for Trick or Treat
- Halloween: Trick or Treat Big Time at the Mall of America!
- Trick or Treat Events at New Jersey Malls 2009
- Make a Halloween Trick or Treat Goody Sack