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Trick or Treating Tips, Be Safe on this Fun Holiday

Halloween Trick or Treat Tips

“Trick or treat, Stinky Feet, Give me something good to eat!”

This phrase will be announced joyfully by kids across the country this coming Halloween night as it has for generations.   But before your ghosts and goblins head out to trick or treat this year, parents  keep in mind these trick or treating safety tips to make sure the only howls you hear are those of fun.  This is a fun time of year that gets kids imaginations into high gear and they will be too wound up to think about safety, so that will be your job.  Here are some basic ideas to get you thinking safety for the Halloween events.

Trick or treating safety tips for Kids:

Halloween Costumes:
Allow your kids the chance to be creative or in control of choosing their new “alter ego”. This is a wonderful time of self expression and imagination. With this in mind here are some costuming tips.

• Your children should carry or wear something lit, such as a fun flashlight, glow bracelet or necklace, or flashing attire for visibility. The popular Light-up shoes are also practical, and easy to see on a dark Halloween night.

• Fancy shoes, while cute as part of their costume, kids planning to go trick or treat should wear sturdy shoes and not the princess high-heel or other types of shoes often shown with costumes. Save those for the costume parties or contests and not trick or treating. Their feet–and most likely you who may end up carrying either the shoes or the child–will be thankful.

• Avoid costumes that drag on the ground. While cute initially, costumes that drag can trip up little feet, get caught on bushes, and create a tussle that sometimes results in the child wanting to remove the costume. Remember, kids who trick or treat want to be costumed AND comfortable.

• Since you will be out for a while, pick costumes that are bathroom-friendly. On this same subject, parents should pre-plan a bathroom stop along the way (a friends’ house will do and is a good time for a water break as well), or at a public facility if driving.

• Be sure a child’s mask allows them to see and breathe.  SuperHero or Monster masks often have small eye slits and nothing for the nose or mouth. Parents should try on masks for size and not hesitate to cut out larger openings for a trick or treater’s comfort. If possible, find a mask that “breathes” and is easy to put on and off. The types of mask that easily can slide up on the head and then pulled down are best.  If it is too hot, the child will not make the entire route with their mask on!

• Only carry flexible extras, such as wands, knives, swords, ninja items, etc., that can’t cause injury if a kid accidentally falls or have them strapped on as part of the costume. No play prop should resemble the real item as some folks do not like seeing small children carry these items; and trick or treating should be a fun and positive experience for everyone.

• Be weather aware.  Be sure your child doesn’t  get over-heated or overly thirsty.  Don’t have your child dress in an adorable lions costume with heavy fur and hood if you live in the South where temperatures could still be in the 80s in the evening; by the same token, a fairy costume might be impractical for a cold northern evening. Be one of those creative parents who accessorizes jackets or thinks “cool comfort” for their kids.

• Think “practical” over “cute” when picking a trick or treat goody bag or container. Trick or Treat buckets that can be personalized that are lightweight, but hold LOTS OF CANDY!  Some of seemingly-fun ones sold in stores are heavy–before any treats are added; others are too long and will drag the ground or have sharp edges that could scrape against tender skin.

 

Choosing a Trick or Treat Route:

• Today, many schools have their own Trick or Treat night, as do malls, shopping centers, churches and private neighborhoods or civic clubs to make this easy.  First see if there is an event you can plug into.  Kids just want to show off their costume and this may suffice.

• Plan out  your route in advance and check it during the daylight for obstacles that could trip up trick or trickers. Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods or areas.  Check with area malls and shopping centers as these have become great places to trick or treat and they may also have Costume Contests and events in conjunction with the Trick or Treat schedule.

• Trick or treaters should walk, not run, and should never cut across lawns or driveways. Obstacles could exist that aren’t readily visible in the evening.

• Trick or treat only at houses that are lit. Residents who do not wish to be bothered by trick or treaters often leave off their lights as a sign; respect their preference by only going to houses that are lit.

• Keep track of time and don’t trick or treat after 9 p.m. (general recommendation). That allows ample time for children to trick or treat, and by then, the excitement of the evening and the candy/treats means little ghouls will be tired, anyhow.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of Halloween Safety Rules, it will get your mind going and you can begin your preparations for this all important fall event.  So get out there and guide your little goblins to a safe and “candyful” Halloween!

 

About the Author

Clay Spivey is the owner of Anything Joe’s, Personalized Gifts for Kids.

Musician, music teacher and retail owner of a highly successful kids store for 15 years, he has firsthand experience in guiding parents and children in gift choices.  His gift suggestions and ongoing blog can be found on his website, www.anythingjoes.com

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