Okay, I know there are plenty of parenting debates about Halloween and whether children should even go trick-or-treating. Whether the core of the debate is about the sugar content of candy or the origins of the holiday, some parents are for it and some are against it. That isn’t the subject of this post, however. Regardless of what you choose to do with your children on October 31st, what is important is that they are safe.
So, here are a few tips on Halloween safety.
- Make sure your child has an adult chaperone.
Whether your children are very young or are fast approaching teenage status, you want to be sure they are not wandering the neighborhoods on their own. Even if your tween daughter says there will be a big group of them, or your son tells you none of his friends’ parents are tagging along, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that your child is safe, which means a responsible adult is with them from the time they step out the door until they return home. You could volunteer to be the chaperone and keep an eye on your kids and their friends if they are going from house to house.
- Check over the goodies before your child eats them.
No, this is not so you can be sure to grab the Snickers bar or make off with the Milky Way. Since there have been cases of dangerous treats being given to children on Halloween, you should look over the treats your child brings home. If anything is unwrapped, throw it away. The same goes for homemade treats unless you know exactly who gave them. Example, if the neatly wrapped brownie is from the sweet lady on the block who bakes them every Halloween (and Christmas, and Thanksgiving, and … you get the picture), then it’s safe to eat. If your child has no idea where that cookie came from, don’t risk it. Toss it.
- Check out local alternatives to trick-or-treating.
Maybe you just don’t like the idea of your kid going from door to door on Halloween. Perhaps you have a child who is sensitive to the frightening decorations people put up. If this is the case, look online or call around to see who might be hosting a trunk-or-treat at their school or church. These are growing in popularity in many cities, as they are a safe way for children to have fun and enjoy this holiday. Also, it saves time because your child isn’t wasting time approaching houses that are not giving out treats. That way, you and your small one can get to bed on time and be ready for work and school the next day.
Bonita Jewel – Mom, blogger, & Dill Team Member
