Halloween is almost here!  Which means now is the time to start thinking about what you need to do to ensure that everyone in your family has both a safe and fun night of trick or treating! In this blog, we have a few tips and tricks for ensuring your Halloween night goes smoothly and safely!

Costume

Pick Good Materials

When choosing costumes, prioritize comfort and safety. Avoid materials that can cause injury or pose a tripping hazard. Choose a costume made of breathable fabric to avoid overheating or thick fabrics to keep your little ones warm, depending on the climate where you live! 

High Visibility

Dark-colored costumes might look spooky, but they can make it difficult for drivers to see your child, especially at night. Incorporate reflective tape or stickers into the costume design, and give your child a flashlight or glow sticks to carry for added visibility.

Trick-or-Treating

Supervision

Always accompany young children when they go trick-or-treating. Stick to well-lit, familiar neighborhoods, and use the buddy system if they’re old enough to go out with friends.

Set a Time or Distance Limit

Establish a curfew for trick-or-treating and plan a route in advance. This will help ensure that your child doesn’t get too tired and can enjoy the Halloween festivities without becoming overwhelmed or getting upset when trick-or-treating ends unexpectedly.

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Be Vocal About Their Restrictions

If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, be vigilant about checking labels and communicating their needs to those distributing treats. If you’re going to a party or trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, reach out in advance to anyone you feel comfortable with and see if they’re able to accommodate your child’s allergy or dietary restrictions.

Have Backups

There will be nothing more disappointing on Halloween than your child not being able to eat any of the treats they receive, so try planning ahead to have a stash at home just in case the treats they get aren’t allergy-safe.

Handling an Emergency

Establish a Plan

If your child is going trick-or-treating without you or there is a chance that they’ll be walking ahead of you and get separated, come up with a plan beforehand about what you both will do if that happens. Discuss meeting points and who in the neighborhood they can ask for help if they need it.

Give Them Emergency Contact Information

Make sure your child knows your phone number and address in case they get separated from you. Consider writing this information on a small card that they can carry in their pocket, especially if they’re too young to memorize it. Even if you have no intention of separating from your child, including an emergency contact card in their pocket or treat bag can’t hurt.