Halloween is a time when ghosts and goblins roam freely about our streets, openly haunting every house or business daring enough to open their doors. But every year, before the night is over, we hear reports about children, animals, or adults who have been injured or sickened by the holiday’s activities. Consciously, we hear the messages telling us to be safe, but when was the last time you sat down with your children and/or family members and reveiwed some simple safety measures to ensure everyone stays safe amid the gangs of gobbledy-goop out there? Consider these time-tested, common-sense tips to help your family stay safe this - and every - Halloween (October 31):
- telling people to avoid dark costumes is like a voice crying in the wilderness - black is an optimal color for Halloween. So if you insist on wearing black, consider ways to enhance the shimmer or reflectability of the costume. Can you add some light-reflective tape or paint that will help vehicles or other people out walking see your goblin? What about only wearing the costume in well-lit areas, or before it gets dark? There are lots of activities these days where dark attire would not be a safety hazard.
- plan activities in groups - go trick-or-treating with friends and/or relatives or plan to attend publicly-sponsored events. Many malls and shopping centers offer trick-or-treating opportunities in well-lit and climate-controlled environments!
- have a reverse trick-or-treat party at your own home and invite friends and family to bring goodies to share and treats for the kids. This way you don’t have to go out and you keep control of what’s going on at home. Assign door duty to the guest with the scariest costume. Incorporate some scary music or a creepy movie into the festivities.
- if you go trick-or-treating door-to-door, visit only those houses where there is a porch light on, lights on in the house, and where the pathway is clearly visible. Never allow your children to go inside a house to get treats, and do not allow them to walk up pathways or driveways that are cluttered and prevent you from being able to see your little ghosts the whole time.
- avoid distractions while taking your children trick-or-treating. This means don’t be talking on the phone or jamming to music while the kids are walking up and down the street. The distraction could mean you don’t see something happening that you have the power to control.
- pay attention to your surroundings at all times - especially when visiting foreign neighborhoods (not known to you). Although activities can be chaotic, watch out for anyone who seems out of place in the scene or who appears to be approaching children at random. Make sure your children know never to go with a stranger anytime.
- tell your children to bring home all loot before they eat it so you can sort through it together. Do not accept home-baked goods (unless you are 100% confident of the source). Avoid fresh fruits or vegetables (home-cooked goods and fruits and vegetables can be tainted with poison or worse - sad, but true, this happens every year!). If you can’t trust the little ones to not eat the candy, send older siblings along with them, or accompany them to the door and carry their candy container.
- make sure young children know that the costumes and make-up people wear at Halloween time is make-believe and that these types of creatures really do not exist. This is a good opportunity to teach them about fact and fiction, real and make-believe.
- if you allow your children or adolescents to go out without your presence, PLEASE know where they are going and who they will be with. Ignorance should be no excuse for a parent to know what’s happening with their children. It’s our responsibiltiy to KNOW where they are and who they are with!
By keeping a few basic principles in mind, you and your family and friends will enjoy a safe, happy, and memorable Halloween event!
