Walking the streets with kids dressed in adorable costumes, monitoring the toddlers to be sure they don’t sneak a fifteenth piece of candy. Halloween is a fun time of year, and in the suburbs, it’s one of the only times you actually get to see your neighbors!
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If you have a child with allergies, look for turquoise pumpkins in front of a house. This is a way people indicate that there are allergy friendly treats to share at that home!
Halloween night, the kids are out later than any other night of the week! Wandering around in the dark with kids can be unsafe, so there are a few things to keep on hand to help keep everyone safe.
Flashlights – these are great mini flashlights everyone can carry, even the tiniest ghosts and goblins.
Glow sticks are great to have on hand as well. Especially if you grab a 100 pack so every one in your group can have a necklace or bracelet.
Glow tape is another option. If kids are wearing darker costumes or are “too cool” for necklaces and bracelets a couple strips of tape on their shoulders might just do the trick.
Remind the kids that traveling in groups is essential, and sticking with a grown up is the safest way to trick-or-treat.
Practice a code word with the kids, to make sure no one gets lost or confused with another person in the same costume. There are always lots of kids wearing the same costume, so do what you can to be sure no one gets lost or mixed up with another Elsa.
Just in case some one does wander off or follow the wrong group, make sure everyone has emergency id information on them. These waterproof emergency id temporary tattoos are AMAZING! We used the beach ones this Summer and it gave some great peace of mind knowing that if one of the littles wandered off, they’d have our phone number on them.
Scary, but it can still be a good idea to check the registered sex offender list to be sure you know which homes to avoid in your neighborhood.
Make sure no one eats candy until you get home. Inspect everything candy that’s already open, drugs and even razor blades. Crazy things have happened in halloweens past, and it’s always good to double check everything before the kids start munching.
Halloween safety rules for kids
Here is a handy list to go over with kids before you go out trick or treating!
- Listen for instructions
- Stay with a grown up
- Look for lights on (don’t visit houses with lights off)
- Cross the street in crosswalks ONLY
- No running across streets
- Hold a flashlight
- If you get lost always look for a MOM with kids to help you
- Never go inside some one else’s house, only get candy or treats from the porch.
If you are hosting a group of kids and letting the trick-or-treat solo, you can download and print these halloween safety cards, laminate them and give one to each child. This may help them remember the rules AND they’ll have your phone number on them in case of emergency. Download them, for free here!
Those are our best tips for staying safe Halloween night. Do you have more to add to our list? How do you help your kids have a safe and fun evening?
Ps: Halloween costumes for under achievers (I want the muggle one!)
Crystal @ MommyisaWino.com says
This is a great list. I like the idea of the glow tape. The temporary tattoo is a wonderful idea. I might just temporary tattoo my child in all cases where there are group outings. My 2 1/2 year old will be attending a trunk or treat this year which is one of the safer ways for kids to trick or treat. However, I know sometime in the future he will want to do traditional trick or treating. I will be keeping these tips in mind when the time comes.