The Advantage Blog


Halloween Safety Tips


Keeping Your Little Ghosts and Goblins Safe

Halloween is a favorite time for kids to enjoy dressing up and scouring the neighborhood for treats of all kinds.  With so many little ones running about our streets, it is important that we take extra care on this fun and spooky night.

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips
Here are some recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics to keep your trick-or-treaters safe.

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children (under age 12) on their neighborhood rounds.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time to return home.  Make sure they have a cell phone.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
    • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
    • Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags. Flashlights and glow sticks also make kids easier to see.
    • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
    • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
    • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
    • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
    • Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will.
    • It goes without saying that if you are driving to be sure to slow down and be extra attentive to the potential for young children crossing streets and not always paying attention.
    • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
  • Some towns set a curfew for trick or treating which makes it easier for everyone to know who’s coming to their door. Make sure and stick to the curfew times and stay in subdivisions and areas with a lot of homes so your kids can get in as much trick or treating as possible in a few hours time.
  • Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. This way you can check for any problem candy.  As nice as it might seem to receive them, it is not wise to eat homemade treats.

For even more suggestions on Halloween Kid Safety, go to Trick or Treat Safety Tips.