Halloween Safety Tips
Updated: Nov 29, 2022
Photo by Ylanite Koppens
After a certain age, kids do not want to be seen with their parents walking around the neighborhood on Halloween. They ask for independence to be able to spend the evening trick-or-treating with friends, but then parents are left sitting at home stressing about whether their kids are staying safe. Before letting the kids run out the door to roam the neighborhood freely, parents should set guidelines and supply their children with some basic tools that can help them stay safe while having fun.
Have a route mapped out for your kids – It is important to have a route planned for your kids to use during Trick-or-Treat hours, and there should be a backup plan in case the weather changes. This plan is great for figuring out the streets that do and don’t have sidewalks, stop signs, and identifying streets that your kids are familiar with so they do not get lost.
Make sure they are well lit/have flashlights – A flashlight can help kids navigate their Trick-or-Treat route in the dark, drivers will be able to identify them, and they will have a better view of their surroundings and what is occurring nearby. A great flashlight option is the SP-1106 from Secur Products because it is a water-resistant flashlight, powerbank, and lantern in one. Kids can use it to keep their cell phones charged and to stay illuminated.
Check that mobile devices are fully charged – Have kids take a cell phone with them, even if they need to borrow a parent’s so they can get in touch quickly in an emergency. Explain that while they are walking they should put their mobile devices away so they are paying full attention traffic while crossing the street and know what is happening around them at all times.
Keep emergency contact numbers handy – Store emergency numbers on cell phones where kids know how to find them or put them on a piece of paper and pin them inside a costume pocket. In case of an emergency, they will have these contact numbers accessible if they are needed. They can also be set as the first 5 contacts on their mobile device.
Designate a meet up time or place – This is a good chance to check in with your kids to see where they are, how it is going, and just to hear that they are having a great time!