How to Be Safe on Halloween

The leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, and the time is about to change this can mean only one thing. What that means is that fall is here and one of the most popular holidays as well. The holiday that everyone especially kids cannot wait for because of the sweet treats. This is a holiday where everyone gets to dress up as someone, or something else to go get candy and party. This holiday is called, Halloween which arrives on, October 31st. On this holiday kids go trick or treating for candy, adults go to parties, and everyone who enjoys Halloween has fun. It's a fun time but can be very dangerous if you do not follow the safety rules. In this article I will discuss the proper safety steps to follow to have a safe and fun Halloween.

The first Halloween safety measure I will discuss is to secure your home. Your home should be your first concern on Halloween because many things can happen. Whether you choose to stay home to greet trick or treaters, have a house party, or go out and celebrate you should secure your home. On Halloween people will not just come for candy sometimes they try to rob you as well. A major concern if you're staying home is to be cautious when answering the door for a trick or treater.

Always look first before opening the door, hand out candy fast, and lock back your door right after the people leave. It's best to not hold a conversation to long because you never know peoples intensions. It's just always better to be safe than sorry especially nowadays. For some people if you are nervous about opening your door on Halloween there is another way to hand out candy. For people who are nervous just leave a bowl of candy on your doorstep or porch. When the bowl gets empty refill it and this way you can have peace of mind.

Some other steps for your home safety are as follows; make sure you clean up your yard of all objects. The reason for cleaning your yard is so that no kids can trip and fall. Check all outside lights to make sure your house is well lit for everyone to see safely. If you're going to use a jack o lantern with a candle make sure it is away from everyone. It would be very bad if someone got burned from playing around with your jack o lantern. There are other light alternatives you can use instead of a candle such as a flashlight, electric powered jack o lantern, glow stick, and so on. Please take all the necessary precautions when using a flaming jack o lantern to keep you, guests and your house burn free. A few final household tips are make sure your pet is secure so no trick or treaters get bit, and hand out health snacks also with the candy.

The next Halloween safety measure I will discuss is pet safety. Pets as I stated above can run and bite a trick or treater which would be bad. Pets on Halloween are usually scared on Halloween especially because of the scary costumes. If you're pet lives inside I would recommend leaving him or her in a closed room for the night. A pet may not bite someone but they will run outside which can cause all sorts of problems. So the best way to keep your pet calm and everyone safe is to have them in a room for the evening. If your pets live outside it would be best to put them inside for the night.

This would prevent anyone getting bit, your pet running away, or any other problems. Some people tend to hurt animals left unattended on Halloween so definitely keep your pets safe and secure. As final precautions with pets do not feed them candy this could harm them. Candy may upset your pet's stomach which can give you more problems you don't need. Some people dress their pet up which is fine if your pet is used to it, if there not maybe you shouldn't try it.

The next Halloween safety measure I will discuss is parent guidelines. As a parent you have many responsibilities to protect your kids so you should definitely take them serious. The first and most important safety step is to check the candy when your kid comes home. Many people have put poison in candies, sharp objects, or bad candy. Make sure that you completely check all candy for any tampering so that your kids won't become ill. If you cannot go trick or treating with your kids have an older sibling or a group of friends go with them. Never let the younger kids go alone they should be with the parents or older siblings. If you have teenage kids let them go in a group so that if something should happen someone can get help.

To be at peace of mind make sure you take names of the friends they will be with and make sure all cell phones work. You and your kids should have the cell phones fully charged so you can keep in contact. If you're going to not be home let your kids know where you will be and your number. You should set a time for your kids to be home also because it's not safe to be out late on the streets on Halloween. If for some reason your child will be going alone make sure he has a cell phone and knows how to call you, the police, and all important numbers. All small kids should know how to call the police and operate a phone the proper way.

Make sure that your kid's costumes are fire resistant and that they have flashlights, glow in the dark watches, and are visible to everyone. Make sure that your kids do not walk in the street staying on the sidewalk is a great way to stay safe. And a final important safety step is to make sure your kids do not wear skates or rollerblades. Kids who wear skates or roller blades can trip, fall, and injure themselves very bad.

The next Halloween safety measure I will discuss is for the drivers. Drivers play an important part in Halloween safety because they have to drive very careful on this night. If a driver does not take all the necessary precautions someone can be hurt badly. First of all drivers should not drive drunk and if you are drunk get a designated driver. There have been many deaths on Halloween for reckless accidents so drivers really need to be careful. Drivers should always be alert because kids can run out in front of you at anytime. Drivers should not wear masks while driving this can impair their vision. On Halloween night all drivers should drive slow and be cautious in every way possible.

The final Halloween safety measure I will discuss is the most important one the trick or treaters. Some of these steps were stated in the parent safety tips but are very important. The trick or treaters are the kids so every one of these steps should be followed to insure proper safety. As stated above have your kids carry a flashlight, glow in the dark watches, and glow sticks anything that is bright. The reason for the brightness is so that the trick or treaters can be seen by drivers and other people. Make sure that the trick or treaters stay on the sidewalk never ever walk in the streets. Some drivers will stop but not everyone will and this could be a terrible way to end your night. Small kids should be with a parent or older sibling and older kids should be in groups. Try to stay in your own neighborhood this way you cannot get lost or stalked by a stranger. Make sure that everyone has on comfortable shoes, tied laces, a costume that does not drag, two or more candy bags, and that you go to the bathroom before trick or treating. Trick or treaters should not pet any animals they do not know. You could end up getting bit badly which would definitely ruin the night.

When going to a house always go to the ones that have the lights on, decorated houses, and open gated houses. Never open a closed gate to a house and enter the people may have a dog or not be home. If you enter someone's front door and after two knocks it's probably best to leave. Never enter anyone's house that you do not know, even if they ask you to come inside. If this ever happens its best to just take the candy and say thank you then leave. If someone won't give you any candy unless you come inside or something just also say thank you and leave. You should never enter a car with a stranger either that you do not know. Finally the last tip is to not eat too much candy this could make you feel sick or give you a sugar high.

Halloween can be a fun night as long as you stay safe. These are just some safety tips that everyone can use to stay safe. If you would like further information on how to be safe just go to your local police station or neighborhood safety building. Have a safe Halloween and do not eat too many sweets.