Often Overlooked Halloween Safety Tips

by Rose Smith, Copyright © 2002

We all know the basic Halloween tips such as make sure your child's costume fits and is non-flammable, don't wear a mask, wear makeup in stead and put reflective tape on your child's costume so they can be seen in the dark. But there are several tips most parents don't think of when sending their child out trick-or-treating on Halloween.



Take the time this Halloween to explain the following safety tips to each of your kids so that they'll be better prepared should something unexpectedly happen.

• Make sure your child knows the stop, drop and roll technique in case their costume catches fire. (Stop running, drop to the ground and roll to extinguish the flames).
  
  
• Someone in the group should carry a flashlight. Not all areas are well lit and a flashlight will help light the way and illuminate any potholes, cracked sidewalks, etc.
  
  
• Remind them not to eat the candy or any other treats until they return home and everything has been checked.
  
  
• Only visit homes with the front light on. People who have their lights turned off aren't expecting trick-or-treaters and usually do not have any candy to distribute.
  
  
• Remind your child to walk on the sidewalk at all times. They should also carefully look both ways before they cross the street. A person driving a car has a hard time seeing little people darting out into the road at night.
  
  
• Children should not enter the homes of strangers, but stay at the entrance outside.
  
  
• Make sure your child carries enough change or a pre-paid phone card so they can call home in case of an emergency.
  
  
• Explain to them to call 911 if someone is hurt or if they are being threatened by a stranger. Calling 911 is free from any pay phone.
  
  
• Go over the route your child is planning to take while out trick-or-treating. In the case of an emgergency, you'll be able to find them quicker if you know the route and aren't with them.
  
  
• If your children are older and you aren't going to be home on Halloween night, make sure they know how and where to reach you.
  
  
• Explain to your child to go to a lit home if they are having trouble and a pay phone isn't nearby. They can ask the owner to call you while they remain outside near the door.
  
  
• Tell your child to stay in areas where there are a lot of other children and not to take back-alleys or go down streets where there are few people or that are poorly lit.
  
  

Additional Resources For Children