Trick-or-Treat Safety: 8 tips for keeping kids safe on Halloween night
Stay spooktacularly safe with these crucial tips
For many Canadians, the costume prep, pumpkin carving and stocking up on treats began weeks ago. But whenever and however you get ready for Halloween, be prepared for a parade of eager kids big and small to fill neighbourhood streets on October 31.
Each year brings a new batch of trick-or-treaters and with that comes an annual reminder of some common sense practices and new ways to celebrate the 'holiday.'
Here are eight tips to keep kids safe and having fun:
1: COSTUME CHOICE
Thanks to movies like Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther, you can expect an onslaught of superheroes as this year’s top costumes.
Make sure masks don’t restrict vision, capes and dresses aren’t dragging on the ground, and extras like swords and sabres are made of soft, flexible material. And as always, don’t forget to prepare for the weather – add layers, wear warm and dry footwear and pack a hat and mitts in the bottom of the treat bag just in case.
RELATED VIDEO: How to have a 'weather ready' costume this Halloween
2: BE VISIBLE
Try to choose bright or light-coloured costumes or consider adding strips of reflective tape to costumes and bags. Glow sticks, mini-flashlights or bike lights can be easily hooked onto loops, zippers and treat bags.
3. BE STREET SMART
Remind kids to stick to the sidewalk, stay on one side of the street at a time and avoid crossing mid-block. Motorists – slow down. It’s fun to start trick-or-treating early, but remember that twilight is one of the hardest times for drivers to see clearly.
4. GO AS A GROUP
Send an adult with a flashlight to accompany younger kids and have older kids travel in groups. Set specific neighbourhood boundaries and as a general rule, advise trick-or-treaters to turn down all invitations to enter homes.
Mother with children going to trick or treat on Halloween holiday. Mom with kids in party costumes with baskets going to neighbourhood houses for candies, treats. (Credit: UserGI15613517 via Getty Images
5. KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE
For households handing out treats, make sure porch lights are on and walkways are clear of decorations and clutter. Consider using LED lights, flashlights or glow sticks instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns.
Image: Barry Burgess, Annapolis County, N.S.
6. CHECK TREATS BEFORE EATING
Remind kids to save their treats and goodies for home where an adult can check them. Toss candy if the package looks previously opened or wrappers have holes. Or, skip candy altogether and join the wave of parents planning to give out these alternatives to sweet treats on Halloween.
7. PLAN A SMALL PARTY
As a trick-or-treating alternative, some parents have organized neighbourhood celebrations in a park, parking lot or community centre. A smaller controlled environment may help ease concerns about where treats come from and ingredients like sugar, gluten and nuts. You can even downplay the candy by focusing the evening on themed games and (not too scary) movies with friends.
8. STOCK UP ON BATTERIES
Don’t forget the batteries. Stock up on batteries to use for flashlights and Halloween decorations. Surprising all of your unsuspecting haunted house guests and little ghosts with battery operated Halloween decorations and props is a must - and remember to double-check what type of battery each uses to avoid having the wrong fit at the last moment.
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