Halloween is a time for trick-or-treating, kids in costume, and frightfully good fun. But with Halloween just around the corner, you might not realize how terrifying the holiday can be —for your child’s safety as well as your home, too. To ensure that every ghoul has a good time on October 31, these 10 ways to stay safe during Halloween can help.
Although it might be as simple as dressing your child up in a costume and going trick-or-treating, Halloween can be downright dangerous as well. Children are twice as likely to die on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to a study. (The “deadliest hour” occurred between 6:00- 7:00 p.m. while trick-or-treating.) And the number of fatalities due to Halloween house fires was higher than for other fires, the U.S. Fire Administration reported.
While these stats are surely spooky, they shouldn’t stop you from having a howlingly good Halloween. Learning how to stay safe during Halloween will protect your family and allow you to have fun with your little boos.
Don’t Be A Scary Driver
Creepy characters will be crawling the streets on Halloween night. So take the time to drive a little slower, and be mindful of all the ghouls and goblins who are out trick-or-treating. As kids dash from door to door in a total sugar rush, they might observe all the street safety rules. Be aware of kiddos running across the street or cutting between cars, since darker costumes might make them harder to see.
Get Your Home Ready For Trick-Or-Treaters
You bought tons of candy and treats for all the kids in your neighborhood. But is your home safe for all the spooky characters who might show up? Remove anything from your lawn that could potentially be a trip hazard, like lawn furniture or other toys. If it’s been raining, be sure to sweep your steps to remove any wet leaves that might cause someone to slip. After all, broken bits on stairwells and walkways can cause injuries, particularly if kids come to your door at night.
Focus On Fire Safety
There’s nothing like the glow of a creepy candle inside of a jack-o-lantern to set the stage for Halloween. But fire safety is important in preventing any potential fires from occurring. For example, make sure that pumpkins containing candles are placed at a distance where a child’s costume cannot accidentally be ignited or possibly fall over. Better yet, you might want to invest in battery-operated candles and lights so that you won’t have to worry about flickering flames. But if you like the look (and smell) of real candles, be sure to blow out any burning candles before bedtime.
Keep Your Costume Safe
Dressing your kid up as a creepy Creeper from Minecraft might be fun, but costumes can do more than be a disguise — they can be a hazard, too. Your kid’s costume should be made from flame-resistant materials and shouldn’t be too long, because tripping shouldn’t be a part of trick-or-treating. When possible, try to use hypoallergenic makeup as part of the costume, because masks might obscure your child’s vision.
Use Flashlights
Part of the fun of Halloween is that kids are out in the dark. And part of the fear of Halloween is just that: kids are out in the dark. That’s why every trick-or-treater, from tots to teens (and everyone in between) should have a flashlight. Not only are flashlights awesome for added illumination on dark walkways, but they can also be used when kids are crossing the street, allowing drivers to be able to spot them more easily. Afraid your kid won’t use their flashlight? You can apply reflective tape to their costumes so that they’re more visible.
Listen Carefully
On Halloween, being able to hear everything going on around you is very important. Make sure your child’s hearing isn’t impaired with cumbersome costumes or ear buds. For children with auditory sensitivities, sensory headphones should be used, but be sure that an adult is accompanying the child so that they both stay safe from passing vehicles, other groups of trick-or-treaters, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Stay Together
Halloween is one of those holidays that is so much more fun when done with friends and family. In addition to being fun, sticking together is a lot safer. If you’re going to be walking a lot, go in groups and cross at corners and crosswalks. By being with your other beastly buddies, you’ll get to share spooktacular jokes and some gut-busting laughs during the night. Because there’s nothing more spooktacular than safety in numbers.
Turn On The Lights
While a dark and foggy Halloween is the quintessential Halloween experience, it’s definitely not the safest way to spend the holiday. In addition to ensuring that people who come onto your property are safe, turning on the lights will also protect your home, too. It’ll hopefully prevent your property from being TP-ed, which is never fun to clean up come the next day.
Protect Your Pets
Although you might have the most amazing costume for your kitty to wear on Halloween, it’s best to keep animals inside your house. The noise and disruption in routine can scare pets, causing them to sometimes act out of character, like becoming agitated or even biting someone. As your children trick-or-treat, remind them to also stay away from other people’s pets, too. Halloween night can be stressful, even for the cuddliest of creatures, so reserve pats for other people’s pets until after the holiday.
Inspect Your Kid’s Candy
Cavities aren’t the only thing to worry about on Halloween. Before letting your child dig into their candy, be sure to do an inspection to ensure that it’s safe for consumption. Of course, unwrapped items should never be eaten, and only collect candy from people you know and trust. If it looks suspicious, it’s best to toss it in the trash.
Halloween is a night to eat, drink, and be scary. But in order to stay safe on Halloween, you’ll need to take some precautions to keep your boo crew safe and sound. That way, you’ll get to enjoy the haunting holiday together — and sneak a Snickers or two from your kid’s treat bag when they’re in bed.