Happy Halloween, y’all! Whether you’re taking your costumed cavalry to a fall festival or going door-to-door for sweets, we hope you have a safe and fun holiday. Masks, jack-o-lanterns and all the other festive elements of Halloween can pose a danger to you and your kids if you're not watchful – the last thing you want is a sprained ankle (and candy all over the sidewalk).
If you’re planning to trick-or-treat, remember these basic safety tips:
1. Give everyone a flashlight. This will help you see unexpected obstacles (uneven sidewalks, faux gravestones), and it will also help cars see you.
2. Make sure your child’s costume and/or treat bag has a reflective surface. Reflective tape is a good option. Glowsticks will do the trick, too.
3. Always stick to the sidewalk if possible. Face oncoming traffic as you walk so that you can see cars coming.
4. Be careful crossing the street. Refresh your kiddos on the proper way to cross before you head out the door. Use crosswalks when available.
5. Make sure your kids can see out of and walk in their costumes. Remove all sight barriers and tripping hazards before you set out.
6. Only trick-or-treat at houses with their porch lights turned on. Avoid dark areas.
7. Start early. Take the kids out as soon as the porch lights turn on. There will be more candy to choose from, too.
Updated October 2013
