Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

How to Have a Spooky and Safe Halloween

Sep 9, 2009 Wei Yin Wong

Trick-or-treaters should go out in groups, be visible, wear practical costumes, use routes in familiar neighborhoods and avoid eating treats until inspected by parents.

Trick-or-treating is something that most kids look forward to on Halloween. There’s nothing more exciting than dressing up in fancy costumes and going from house to house asking for treats!

However, parents who are planning to let their kids out that night must set some rules to ensure the kids have a spooky and safe Halloween. Check out the following safety tips for trick-or-treaters.

Trick-or-Treat in Groups

There is always safety in numbers, especially when it’s dark and a little eerie. As recommended by the National Safety Council, only let kids older than 12 go trick-or-treating if there is a group of them doing it together and with the supervision of at least one adult or an older responsible youth.

The adult in charge should have a mobile phone, contact numbers of all kids in the group, a flash light and a first aid kid. Setting up a buddy system is also very useful. If everyone has a buddy or partner, he or she will not be left walking alone in the street.

Be Visible When out on Halloween Night

Trick-or-treaters must always be visible when they are out roaming and asking for treats. That means they should choose light-colored costumes. If they must wear black or something dark, make sure the costumes come with a reflective sticker or tape. Carrying a flash light and walking in brightly lit areas will make the kids more visible too.

Wear Practical Halloween Costumes

In the bid to outdo one another, some kids may insist on donning elaborate and fancy costumes that look great but may be highly impractical or even hazardous. Choose only practical and safe Halloween costumes for the kids. Make sure the materials used are flame resistant, reflective in the dark and comfortable.

Don’t let the kids wear masks, which can obstruct vision and make breathing difficult. Have their face painted instead if they must look different. Floppy shoes and high heels should be banned too to prevent slips and falls. The children should try their costumes at least one day before Halloween to make sure they fit nicely.

Limit Trick-or-Treating to Familiar Neighborhoods

Limit trick-or-treating activities to familiar neighborhoods as the kids will personally know most of the residents there. The neighbors can help watch out for the little ghouls and fairies too. Also, the likelihood of being lost is reduced if one or two of the children become accidentally separated from the group. At least they’ll know how to find their way home! Ideally, plan a safe route for the kids and make sure they stick to it.

Avoid Eating Treats Until Inspected by Parents

Although the idea of trick-or-treating is to collect as much candy as possible, it’s definitely not a good idea for the kids to immediately sample the treats once they get them. Teach the kids not to eat any candy or sweets until they have returned home for Mum or Dad to check through them. Discard treats with no wrappers and labels as no one knows what the ingredients are. This is particularly important for children with food allergies.

Parents should give priority to safety if they have agreed to let their children go trick-or-treating. Safety tips for trick-or-treaters include going out in groups with adult supervision, being clearly visible, wearing practical Halloween costumes, trick-or-treating only in familiar neighborhoods and avoiding eating Halloween treats until they are cleared by parents.

Found this article useful? Read also Safety Precautions Before Trick-or-Treating, Halloween Party Ideas for Children and Safe Halloween for Food-allergic Children.

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Have a Spooky and Safe Halloween