Halloween is one of those annual events that kids look forward to.  Once they reach a certain age, kids like to leave Mom and Dad at home and hit the streets with their friends.  This Halloween, make sure your older kids stay safe by following these safety tips:

  1. Safety in numbers.  If your kids are old enough to trick-or-treat without adult supervision, make sure they stay with a group of friends.
  2. Trick-or-treat at friendly houses only.  If the lights are on, treats will likely be available.  If a house is dark, it generally means “stay away”.
  3. Obey the law.  Sounds simple enough, but a reminder to your kids that the cops are out in force on trick-or-treat night may be the difference between a fun time and a ride in a police cruiser.
  4. Stay where the action is.  Have your kids stick to well-lit areas where there are other people; avoid back alleys and off-road “shortcuts”.
  5. Be seen.  Costumes come in all shapes and sizes.  No matter what your child dresses up as, make sure they are visible.  Reflective strips, glow sticks, and flashlights help cars see ghouls and goblins in the autumn night.
  6. Inspect before indulging.  Make sure your kids bring back their sack of candy for a thorough inspection before they start their annual sugar binge.
  7. No tripping.  Keep an eye on costume length.  It’s easy to overlook a tripping hazard.  Keep costumes short to keep kids upright.

Halloween can be a blast for kids of all ages.  As your little ones graduate to trick-or-treating on their own, remind them to be safe.  Happy Halloween!