Halloween Safety Tips

I love Halloween.  And not just because it gives me a reason to grow tons of Jack-o-lantern pumpkins.  I just love the whole dressing up and excitement of it all.  The kids are giddy, there’s candy.  Seriously, what’s not to love?

If you plan on heading out with your little ones this Halloween–or if  they are finally old enough to head out on their own, here are a couple of tips to keep them safe during their sugar-buzzed frenzy:

1. Glow sticks are awesome.  They are cheap, the kids can wear them around their neck, and best of all, cars can see them.
2. Masks are cool, but it your little one can’t see, they become kind of a risky blindfold.  If the mask makes the costume, consider cutting out larger eye holes.
3. If your kiddos head out on their own, plan a route that you both agree on ahead of time.  That way, you know where they are, and they know exactly where they are supposed to be.
4. Feed the kids a HUGE healthy meal prior to them leaving.  They will be way too full to over-indulge in candy {or at least, they will in theory!}
5. Try battery operated candles instead of real ones in your pumpkin.  You completely eliminate the fire hazard, because face it, no one wants to remember the Halloween that the house went up in flames.
6. If your child’s costume is darkly colored, consider adding reflective tape.  It can be super hard to see little ones darting across the street otherwise.
7. Only go to well-lit homes.  This eliminates the hazard of kiddos tripping, and it just plain respectful to people who don’t really want to participate in the holiday.
8. Kids going without an adult should always travel in a group.  Safety in numbers.
9. Check your kids’ candy at the end of the night.  Feel free to confiscate all of the KitKat bars for yourself–for safety reasons, of course.
10. If you are handing out candy, make sure to clear your own porch of any tripping hazards, etc.  {Roll up the hoses and secure the trap doors–ha!}  Nobody needs a broken leg and a lawsuit.

Hope you have a safe and HAPPY Halloween.

~Mavis