Halloween Fun and Safety

Tips for a Spooktacular and Safe Halloween

If you’re like most people, you don’t realize how many kids live in your neighborhood until it’s Halloween! Halloween just seems to be filled with magical sights and sounds for kids of all ages. Houses are decorated in orange and black, pumpkins line front doors, and oodles of ‘little pumpkins’ aka kids echo, “Trick-or-Treat” as they scamper from house to house. Many parents and adults are also out and about, so it’s important that everyone stays safe, too!

Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe this Halloween:

• Check with your local municipality for your area’s trick-or-treat date, times, and any special rules.
• Be sure trick-or-treaters under the age of 12 are accompanied by an adult.
• If you’re accompanying the kids, stay off your electronic devices so you can focus on the kids. Take pictures before or after they trick-or-treat.
• For kids over age 12 who want to go with their friends, devise a plan with them. Agree on the route, the time they need to be home, and the importance of the ‘buddy system’ so no one gets separated.
• Remind older kids to stay off their electronic devices! Be sure they know they should slow down and look both ways before they cross the street and go from house to house, and to use the crosswalks and sidewalks.
• Reinforce stranger danger with all kids: Never go with or get in a car with anyone they don’t know.
• Costumes are so much fun, but they should also be safe to wear. Younger kids shouldn’t wear masks that can obstruct their vision, so consider face paint. It’s also a good idea that kids wear costumes that are bright and have reflective tape or reflective stickers added. Older kids can be offered glow sticks to carry.
• Candy and other Halloween treats should first be inspected by an adult before the trick-or-treater eats any of the goodies! Throw out unwrapped or unsealed pieces. Then, if you come across one of your favorite candies, you may just want to ‘treat’ yourself!
• Adults who are going to a Halloween party need to be extra cautious. There are a lot of kids trick-or-treating and they may not be watching for cars. Moreover, if you decide to drink, don’t drive: Have a designated driver!

For even more tips, check out the National Safety Council website.

Have a fun-filled and safe Halloween from Envoy Mortgage!