Halloween Safety

Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe This Holiday

By Jill Eggleton Brett

Halloween is celebrated as widely and as lavishly as any other holiday, yet it also alerts parents to safety issues with their children.

The holiday has earned a bad reputation over time and casts a dark shadow on the festivities for some parents. So, what's the good news? This pumpkin-filled festival can still be a positive, safe experience for kids and, if desired, alternative celebrations can be explored.

Lieutenant Martin Elliott, special services commander for the Upland Police Department in Upland, Calif., offers these easy-to-follow tips for trick-or-treating safety:

• When choosing a costume, strive for clothing that is flameproof. Consider adding reflective tape or paint to your child's outfit this makes it much easier for motorists to see your child. Creating a costume made of lighter colors also allows motorists to spot your child with ease.
  
  
• For your child's benefit, avoid masks or costumes that obstruct his vision or breathing.
  
  
• Explain to your children the importance of being extra alert while trick-or-treating. Encourage them to walk on the sidewalk and avoid busy traffic.
  
  
• Realistic weapons can be made out of safe material, such as cardboard. Avoid allowing your child to carry sharp items such as toy swords or pitch forks.
  
  
• Have your child carry a flashlight it helps them to see and be seen.
  
  
• It's safer for children to walk in groups than alone. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Be sure to explain to your children that they should never accept a ride from a stranger or enter a stranger's house.
  
  
• While trick-or-treating, only approach houses that have a porch light on.

A scary issue on Halloween can be contaminated candy. We all like to think the best of our community, but we can't be too careful when it comes to the health of our children.

It's important to check your child's bag of loot before he tears into it. "Our standing rule every Halloween is that our children do not open let alone eat any candy until I have checked their collection carefully," says Ken Gensheimer, father of four in West Chester, Ohio. "I have shared with the kids that this is for their own safety. Each child always lines up their top two or three pieces of candy they're dying to eat while I'm checking it!"

Want to see more?

• Halloween Headquarters
• Frighteningly Frugal Fun: Great Halloween Ideas for Cheap
• Ghouls, Goblins and Gobs of Candy: Ideas for Doling Out Those Hard-earned Treats
• Talk about it!