4 Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips Parents Should Know
Halloween is almost here! Are you ready for some trick-or-treating action with your little ghouls and goblins? Collecting candy, dressing up, and seeing pumpkins on doorsteps is super fun. But, it’s also important for parents to keep safety in mind, especially if they have children with food allergies or toddlers and young kids new to the trick-or-treating scene.
Here are some trick-or-treating safety tips so you and your kids can enjoy a fun and safe Halloween season this year!
Psst… Check out: Tips for Making Halloween Fun for Children with Autism
Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
Avoiding injuries
Spooky season is an exciting and fun time for little ones. But it’s also a time when kids can be at an increased risk for injuries, including serious ones. A 2019 study from JAMA Pediatrics says 4- to 8-year-old children experienced a 10-fold increase in pedestrian fatality risk on Halloween. The highest risks were around 6 pm when daylight fades.
To start, consider vehicular traffic to help keep kids safe at night, one of the best things parents can do is to focus on traffic safety. Just because it’s Halloween, it doesn’t mean everyone will be mindful on the road.
A great way to keep track of your child walking around is having them have bright-colored costumes, trick-or-treating bags, or accessories. Always remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks. Don’t forget to always look both ways before crossing!
Consider costume safety
When it comes to trick-or-treating safety tips, it’s important to make sure your child’s costume fits well. If they’re wearing a mask, make sure they can see out of it. A great alternative to a mask is creating a custom makeup look. TikTok and YouTube are filled with fun, spooky, and creative makeup tutorials for just about any costume out there!
But trick-or-treating safety tips apply to makeup, too. The FDA recommends checking its list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA-approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them, the agency says. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes. Taking some time to check out the ingredients in face paint and makeup products could prevent allergic reactions.
Test makeup for possible allergic reaction at least 24-48 hours in advance, the FDA says. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
Wear costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label, the FDA says, adding if you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon. Find more trick-or-treating safety tips from the FDA here.
Help Prevent Food Allergies
Remember to keep food allergies in mind when you’re out collecting treats. Most parents of children with food allergies make their kids aware that unknown candy could be a potential risk. But, as an extra precaution, it doesn’t hurt to remind them to bring all candy home first before unwrapping and eating it.
This year, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) partnered with CVS Pharmacy again for its famous Teal Pumpkin Project.
As part of the partnership, CVS is communicating Teal Pumpkin offerings with customers through in-store signage to help shoppers identify food allergy-friendly items. These include small treats, and fun toys such teal pumpkin buckets, craft kits, spooky spiders and critters, and more.
(We’re told there are many more fun items to browse this year, too.)
Anyone can participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project by placing a teal-colored pumpkin on their doorstep to signal that, in addition to candy, non-food goodies and food allergy-safe treats are available for trick-or-treaters.
Check candy
Trick-or-treating safety tips include checking candy, and it’s important to always check your child’s candy before they eat it. “Tell your kids not to eat any candy until they get home”, said Gerard Lennon, crime prevention officer at Adelphi University and retired NYPD lieutenant.
You don’t want them eating candy in wrappers that have been tampered with.
“Check all candy for open wrappers. If they’re open—even just slightly—toss them in the trash,” Lennon said.
Also, throw away any loose candy. All candy should be completely wrapped to ensure safety.
Setting Boundaries with Your Teens
Is your teen going out with friends this year to trick-or-treat? If so, be sure to set some ground rules for a fun but safe time. It’s best to do it together.
First, ask your teen to stay in touch with you throughout the night and to make sure their phone is completely charged. A portable charger is a great way to keep the phone working through the evening.
Also, find out which places or areas your teen will be going. Encourage them to always stay with their group of friends and check in with you every so often. Finally, agree on a curfew.
Instituting these boundaries with your teen can help bring you peace of mind, and also help ensure their overall safety.
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