By Michelle Mady
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I feel like it is the beginning of the big holiday season, where we seemingly celebrate something every few weeks through the new year. I love dressing up, trick or treating, and seeing all of the houses on my street decorated for the season.
But for all of the excitement that Halloween can bring, as a parent, there are some safety concerns that come up on October 31st. Honestly, any time you are encouraging young children and families to roam the streets and knock on strangers’ doors after dark, you have to be prepared for safety issues to arise. Luckily, there are some really simple ways to be proactive during this season to keep your children safe and happy.
Prepare.
Some safety concerns can come up because of decorations or issues around lighting and being able to keep track of children. A great way to prepare for this is to take some walks around the neighborhood to practice your route. Getting comfortable with the route for a few days before the 31st will help in a few ways. It’s probably going to be dark out, and this way you can see where there may be uneven sidewalks to minimize trips and falls. And seeing the decorations in the daylight will allow your child to get comfortable with the decorations first, limiting anxiety on the big night.
Practice.
Children who are under 5 probably don’t remember Halloween very well. Have someone bring your child outside, in their costume, and knock on your door. Role play what to say, when to say it, and practice those stairs. Remind children to take one piece, to say “thank you,” and hold the railing.
Another thing that needs some practice is the costume itself. Wear it here; wear it there; wear it everywhere leading up to the big night. This will not only help your child get used to wearing it, but will also alert you to any pieces that may need an extra tuck or hem.
Wear it here; wear it there; wear it everywhere leading up to the big night.
Realistic Expectations.
If your 2 year old is typically snoozing by 8 pm, going out to trick or treat at 7 pm may not be the wisest choice. Keep your path shorter than a typical walk, as the excitement of the evening may allow fatigue to set in early. Keep a few safe pieces of candy from home in your pocket. Imagine getting all that candy and not being able to eat it right away? That is far too much for a young child to handle.
To keep everyone safe, check that candy before they eat it - and have some safe candy easily accessible so you can offer them something when candy envy hits.
Gear Up.
Halloween can be quite a chaotic time. Children running everywhere. Keeping track of which Spiderman is YOURS. And how many bags of candy does mom have to carry?
Halloween can be quite a chaotic time. Children running everywhere. Keeping track of which Spiderman is YOURS. And how many bags of candy does mom have to carry?
Get geared up to minimize some of these issues. Wagons and strollers are great for tired children, overstuffed candy bags, and the costume accessories that fall off along the way. Keeping your hands free of “stuff” will allow you to hang on to your child as needed or drop the stroller and run after them as they follow the Olaf that isn’t their father across the street.
Glow sticks can also be really helpful, especially if you can use them in a different way. Wrap a few around your child’s leg to help them be seen by others. As a bonus, possibly more important reason - you will be able to easily pick out which child is yours because of the unique placement of the glow.
Take it Slow.
Still worried about what your child will do during the trick-or-treat event? Consider starting slow. Many communities put on a “trunk or treat” where families can go to cars and trick or treat at the trunks. Zoos and aquariums will likely have a silly daytime event complete with some treats. My small town has a downtown trick-or-treat event during the day with lots of businesses handing out candy. Check out local businesses and venues to see how they are celebrating and enjoy a lower key Halloween event.
Halloween can be a scary night, but there is also so much fun to be had by all. Keeping children safe on October 31st can seem overwhelming, with some simple preparation and tips, you can have a successful night. Enjoy the pumpkins, decorations and socializing with neighbors.
Happy Halloween!
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About the author: Michelle is a mom of 5 children ranging in age from 5 to 15. As a toddler and preschool teacher, she shares experiences, activities and guidance to other parents, as both a parent and as a professional early childhood educator, at any stage of their parenting journey.
Image credit: istock.com/Vladimir Vladimirov
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