Halloween is just a couple of weeks away! We love this holiday for all its fun, spooky wonders – children get to explore their creativity through costumes and Halloween crafts, and families can create special rituals, from trick-or-treating to block parties to decorating their porches.
With that said, Halloween is not without risks. Keeping children safe on Halloween is a top priority, as it’s a time when they might be out after dark or wearing costumes that may reduce parents’ ability to keep track of them. It’s best to have an adult or responsible teenager accompany younger children while trick-or-treating. Ensure that they stay on the sidewalk and use crosswalks when crossing streets. The LAPD recommends trick-or-treating during daylight hours and closely examining any candies or treats they bring home. While there have been stories of drug-laced Halloween candy in the news in recent years, the likelihood that a child might be given toxic candy is very, very low. That said, they should not accept any hand-wrapped or homemade treats from a stranger.
As with July 4th and New Year’s Eve, the roads pose the most significant safety threat on Halloween. Avoid driving whenever possible, especially in the late-night hours. Make sure all passengers wear seatbelts and that young children are safely strapped into their car seats – do not cut corners on car safety on Halloween. While trick-or-treating, stay on the sidewalk. Encourage children to walk, not run, between houses, and remind them to stay on the sidewalk rather than walking in the street. Teach children to look both ways before crossing streets and to use crosswalks when available. Reinforce the importance of not darting out into traffic. Choose costumes with reflective material or incorporate glow sticks, LED lights, or flashlights into the costume to increase visibility. Make sure costumes aren’t too long to prevent tripping. Ensure that costume accessories like masks, wigs, or hats don’t obstruct vision. Makeup or face paint is often a safer alternative to masks.
Plan your trick-or-treating route in advance and stick to well-lit areas with a lot of foot traffic. Avoid shortcuts through alleys, parks, or isolated areas. Ensure that children know your phone number or have it written down somewhere in case they become separated from you. Set children up with a buddy system, especially when visiting unfamiliar neighborhoods.
For teens or older children, establish a curfew and make sure they have a way to contact you. Make yourself aware of their planned route, so you know where to find them if you need to. Teach children of all ages to be respectful and polite when interacting with homeowners and other trick-or-treaters.
If you’re handing out treats at home, keep the path to your front door well-lit and free of obstacles to prevent falls or accidents. Keep pets indoors or in a secure area during Halloween festivities to prevent them from becoming agitated or frightened.
It is possible to stay vigilant and still have lots of fun. Do your part to help ensure that Halloween is a fun and safe experience for your children, their friends, and the entire community.
At Maryvale, we prioritize creating a positive, healthy life for children by considering their holistic mental health, personal development, and community. Learn more about our early childhood education program and the many ways we support young people to live affirming, growth-oriented lives.
