subject: 5 Safety Tips For Halloween [print this page] Some folks get a kick out creepy Halloween celebrations, but most of us want our kids to remember the holiday more for treats than tricks.
Whether you're decorating your home, decking the yard, or putting your kids in costume, good planning and simple communication can go a long way towards eliminating Halloween mishaps.
Below are a five Halloween safety tips to help get you through the season without incident.
1. Pick costumes that don't get in the way
Avoid masks that might limit your child's field of vision. Opt instead for Halloween makeup, temporary tattoos, or accessories for decorating around the face. Consider shorter or simpler costumes that won't get under foot and make your child fall.
2. Be sure your kids stand out in the dark
Pick costumes, accessories, and candy containers with lights or glow-in-the-dark features so that car drivers can see your children crossing the street. Add reflective tape wherever it makes sense. Give your kids glow sticks or flashlights with fresh batteries to help them see and be seen. Also, light up costumes are an ultra-cool and safe alternative to conventional costumes.
3. Keep the lines of communication open
If older kids are going out on their own, get a good sense of their planned route. Make sure that they know your address and phone number and can dial 911. Give them a cell phone for the evening so they can be reached and can also reach you.
4. Give favors appropriate for kids under age 3
Trick-or-treating can be just as rewarding if kids get Halloween favors instead of candy, but be careful to avoid favors with small pieces that can be choking hazards for kids under three. Instead, choose stickers or books.
5. Decorate with electric lights instead of candles
Jack-o-lanterns symbolize the very essence of Halloween, but you might not be comfortable with the knives and candles that go with them. You can illuminate carved jack-o-lanterns with flameless votive candles or decorate pumpkins with pens or stencils. Also, plug-in Halloween lights and decorations can be fun alternatives to candle-lit Halloween decor.
