Keep Your Child Safe on Halloween

Worried about keeping your child safe on Halloween? If so, you're like millions of Americans. Some people are so afraid that they won't even let their son or daughter participate in this holiday. Yet, there's a way to manage your child's activities on this night and secure his well-being.

Do:

1- Set a curfew.
Don't let your child trick or treat until his knees buckle. Set a time limit. Give him two hours to gather as much candy as he can and then come home.

2- Offer a warning.
Educate your child on the dangers of Halloween. Tell him that some people tamper with candy in order to hurt children and others try to abduct them. This way, he'll be able to make an informed decision when faced with temptation.

3- Give him a cell phone.
Keep your child safe on Halloween by giving him a cell phone he can use in the case of an emergency. Make sure your home phone is automatically set into this accessory and your child knows how to call you. Also, give him a carrying case, so he doesn't lose this item in the first 30-minutes.

4- Limit his walking area.
Carve out a path for your child to follow on Halloween. You don't have to get technical. Just explain he can only visit houses within four blocks of your house and no further.

5- Add light to his costume.
If your neighborhood gets really dark in the evening, put lightweight reflectors on your child's costume. You can purchase a pack of them for under $20. Have fun with the ones you choose and place them on visible places.

6- Ask neighbors to look out.
Go old school and keep your child safe on Halloween by enlisting the aid of neighbors. Ask them to watch your child as he gets candy and give you a jingle if they see something unusual. Since you can't be in multiple places at the same time, this group effort will give you extra support.

7- Send him out with a crowd.
Most likely, your child plans on going out with friends for Halloween. But, in the event he's a loner, find him a pack to travel in. Call his cousins or best friend's mom and make sure he doesn't walk alone.

Feeling better about letting your child celebrate Halloween? Use these seven tips and he'll stay safe and also have a blast on one of the busiest nights of the year.