Top 10 Teen Instructions for Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety

Halloween is one of the coolest holidays for teens. Yet, safety is a prominent issue. We parents all know what we'll hear when we try to give teens safety instructions for Halloween trick-or-treat. It will either be, "Oh, Ma...a...a," or "Yeah, Dad, I know." Two defenses to the teen-tude are:

1. "I love you and care about your safety or I wouldn't be saying anything."

2. Give teens a reason for each Halloween trick-or-treat safety instruction. Reason respects your teen's intelligence more than rattling rules.

So, without further a-boo, here are my top 10 teen instructions for Halloween trick-or-treat safety:

1. Cell phones - Be sure your teens have cell phones before they leave home. If your teen does not have a cell phone, team-up with a reliable friend who does. Also, instruct them to keep their cell phones easily accessible, not in Halloween bags. Extra Tip: Ask your teens to send you a simple text like, "I'm OK," during their trick-or-treat travels. They might do it; mine did.

2. Stay with a friend or group - There is safety in trick-or-treating in numbers.

3. Never go into houses - A sweet elderly lady could answer the door but a dangerous predator could be inside.

4. No Drinking, Drugs, or Tricking - Remind your teens of the consequences.

5. Costumes - Instruct your teens to wear bright costumes. Insist they illuminate dark costumes. No one is ever too old to be hit by a car.

6. Plan a route and stick to it - This means no unsafe alleys, backyards, short-cuts, or deserted unlit areas. Instruct your teens to stay in well-lit areas and only go to well-lit houses.

7. Follow the local curfew - Halloween trick-or-treat curfews enhance safety..

8. Don't Eat Candy - Bring it home to be checked.

9. Driving Instructions - If your teens drive for Halloween trick-or-treat instruct them: 1. No horsing around while driving, 2. wear seat belts, 3. keep lights on, 4. drive slowly, and 5. watch out for little trick-or-treaters. A split-second accident could have negative lifetime effects.

10. Carry an ID - Family can be reached faster in an emergency.

Use and share these top ten teen instructions for Halloween trick-or-treat safety to protect your teens as they howl. Make sure they have a fun, safe Halloween that will not be a haunting for life.