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Lisa and Wolfgang’s Halloween Fun and Safety List – Update
1. You may think this one is strange, but there is a good reason for it: Make sure that costumes are made of non-flammable material and fit well to prevent tripping. The last thing you want to happen is a costume to catch fire when getting in contact with certain Halloween decorations. For the case it does happen, teach your child the “Stop-Drop-Roll” principle. In the same way, you should remove tripping hazards from your property, including your driveway, walkway and porch.
2. Consider make up instead of using a mask – it will be much more comfortable for them while trick or treating than a mask that impairs their vision and hearing. We recommend non-toxic face paint, but, in any case, remove the paint before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
3. If your children wear a mask, make sure it fits properly and provides adequate vision. If you use face paint, try it the day before Halloween on a small area to avoid allergic reaction surprises.
4. Avoid decorative contact lenses, which could cause serious eye injury when children fall.
5. If your kid is wearing a prop, make sure the edges and tips are smooth and not a potential source for serious injury when fallen on.
6. Have a good, fun and healthy meal or snack before you leave the home. A filled stomach is likely to reduce the temptation to eat candy while trick or treating. Tell your children not to open candy while trick or treating.
7. If you are trick or treating in the dark, add some reflective tape to costumes. In addition, your children should bring a flashlight in addition to a glowstick.
8. Attach general safety information to the costume, including emergency contact, home address and phone number.
9. Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them. Take the lead in creating a map of the roads they will be walking. Choose well lit streets, if it might get dark before your children are home. Hand each kid (and adults that may come along) a copy of the map.
10. Needless to say, it is best if you children trick or treat when it is still light outside.
11. In any way you look at it, it is a prudent choice if kids are accompanied by at least one adult and if they stay in their own neighborhood. If you can’t come along, see if another adult can go with them. Also consider a group of children, which is not only another safety measure, but also makes trick or treating more fun.
12. Groups of children are a less tempting target for potential bad guys. Remind your children to stay away from strangers and their cars. Tell them not to enter any homes with people they do not know. They should walk up to only those houses where the lights are on.
13. For the worst case scenario, you children need to know to yell “NO!” or “HELP!” if they are forced to go somewhere they do not want to or accept anything else than a treat. They need to know that they can be screaming and kicking to raise attention from their environment and possibly get away from a threat.
14. Also consider giving them a whistle on a cord. If you have a spare cell phone, give them the phone (if appropriate) and make sure they know your home phone number and how to call 911. By the way, 911 can be dialed from any cellphone, as long as the batteries are charged. Your older kids may even understand a GPS positioning feature in smartphones, which is an incredibly valuable tool in emergencies.
15. Throw out homemade treats and anything else that is not covered by a sealed wrapper. Parents should review the candies before releasing them to kids for consumption.
Have a fun and safe Halloween! Also Read:
Six Essential Single Parent Tips For Halloween
Healthy Halloween: Candy To Hand Out And Some That Are Really Gross
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