Children everywhere are slowly transforming into zombies, princesses and characters from their favorite movies. Adults are preparing outfits they would only dare to wear once a year. Halloween is almost here.
On October 31, kids across the country will excitedly put on their favorite costumes and claim tasty treats in the name of trick-or-treating. This should be a fun experience that young people treasure for years, but there are dangers most kids aren’t even aware of. It’s up to the adults to make sure that Halloween is thrilling, chilling and safe.
Costume Safety
Kids love candy, but half the fun of Halloween is dressing up. Both kids and adults can be very particular about what they wear. People go to great lengths to make sure their costumes are just right. But are they also safe?
Halloween revelers are likely to pass by spooky jack-o-lanterns and creepy candles. Make sure your kids are wearing fire-retardant costumes. And if the costume includes a mask, make sure it provides a clear line of vision. If necessary, expand the eyeholes yourself so they can see any obstacles along their way.
It’s equally important for your kids to be seen on Halloween. Costumes are often dark, so make sure your children will be visible to drivers. If a costume is too dark, you can add reflective tape to make it stand out. And if the costume includes a weapon, like a toy sword or axe, make sure it is soft, flexible and not too big for your child.
Be Prepared
Are your kids trick-or-treating this year? How well do you know the people they’ll be visiting? Parents can map out a route in advance so kids only go to trusted homes. When creating a route, check for registered sex offenders in the area or run a criminal records check on any address along the way.
Most trick-or-treaters get started after dark. Load a flashlight with fresh batteries and give it to an adult or responsible teenager before they start trick-or-treating. The person with the flashlight can help guide the group and keep everyone together. That person should also carry a cell phone and have the numbers for all the parents aren’t part of the group.
If you’re kids are going with a chaperone, give them a piece of paper with your name and number. If your child gets separated from the group, a responsible adult will be able to contact you immediately.
Got Candy Safety?
As soon as the trick-or-treating adventure is over, most kids want to dive into their goody bags. Adults should look through their Halloween treats first. Take some time to investigate every snack. Make sure they are individually wrapped. If anything looks like it may have been tampered with, throw it away. You can give your kids some candy you bought to tide them over while you look.
During the rest of the year, parents tell their kids not to take candy from strangers. This can cause some confusion on Halloween, when kids are encouraged to get snacks from people they’ve never met. Explain to your kids that Halloween is a special occasion, like other annual holidays. Be sure that they understand that this is the only time they can take candy from people they don’t know.
Do you have any other Halloween safety tips for kids or adults? Then leave a comment to share your thoughts. Have a safe and thrilling Halloween, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.
Tags: Background Check, Costume Safety, Halloween, Halloween Safety Rules, Halloween Safety Tips, October 31, PeopleFinders, Safety Tips For Halloween, Trick Or Treat
