Children love Halloween. And it’s no surprise. Between dressing up in costumes, classroom parties and lots of candy, what’s not to love? But it’s also important that children remain safe during Halloween festivities. That’s why we pulled together some tips on how to make this Halloween both fun and safe for your child.
WHEN IT COMES TO COSTUMES
Most children pick a costume based on something they like. Ninja turtles, princesses, and even skeletons remain popular costumes. But in addition to finding a costume your child likes, you should make sure that the costume is safe to wear. This includes checking to see if the costume, including mask and wig, is fire resistant—the tag will often tell you. Costumes should also be reflective in the event your child will be trick-or-treating at night. If your child will be wearing face paint or makeup, be sure to test it on a small area of their skin a week or two prior to Halloween. This will ensure they don’t get a rash or some other unpleasant surprise on the big day.
WHILE OUT AND ABOUT
It goes without saying that young children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult when out trick-or-treating. Remember that only houses with their lights on should be approached for trick-or-treating; not everyone participates in Halloween. If you have older children who are comfortable trick-or-treating on their own, talk to them about paths they’re allowed to take. Also, determine a time that you expect them home and make sure they stick to it. Always ensure children trick-or-treating by themselves carry a cell phone in case of an emergency.
HELP KEEP HOME SAFE TOO
Keeping your children safe at Halloween is important. And it’s also important to keep other children safe. You can do this by ensuring that your home has plenty of lighting leading children to your front door. Leaves and debris should be removed from the driveway and sidewalks before people approach your home. And all of your pets—especially ones that like to jump up or try to escape—should be restrained so as not to cause injury to small children or themselves.
These are just a few helpful tips for keeping your home and your children safe this Halloween. There are many more safety tips that you can find online.