Halloween is always a busy night. Whether you’re planning on escorting a group of toddlers, driving your kids to a big neighborhood, or you’ve got a teenager looking to a costume favorite one last time, Halloween can be a dangerous evening if you’re not prepared and focused.
Here are some trick or treating safety tips you can actually use to stay safe this All Hallows Eve…
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Let’s get this one out of the way early. Yes, you should probably inspect your kids’ bag of candy before they go to town and no, they probably shouldn’t (and probably won’t want to) eat unpackaged, homemade treats. But statistics actually show there’s very little danger of poisoning, and that razor blades hidden in candy is little more than an urban legend. The real danger of candy? Cavities and diabetic shock.
You might be surprised to know that Halloween is the #1 deadliest day for child pedestrians. The most at-risk age group? Twelve to fifteen year olds, likely because they’re confident enough to run around alone but distracted enough to forget looking both ways. If you’re a driver, slow down significantly and avoid residential streets, if possible. If you’re a trick-or-treater, wear something reflective, only cross at marked intersections and avoid the middle of the block – studies show it’s the most dangerous. The worst time for pedestrian accidents on Halloween is between 6-7pm, so avoid this timeline if you can.
It’s always good to know who your kids plan on visiting. Using a people search engine like Spokeo to find out if any new neighbors have records you need be aware of is an easy way to find peace of mind. If your kid plans to trick-or-treat with a friend, it’s also not a bad idea to run a quick search on their parents just to know more about who’s in charge of the group. But don’t stress. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says that none of the non-family child abductions in the U.S. each year can be linked to trick-or-treating.
Last but not least, be aware of costume risks. For example, if your child’s costume has lots of flammable fringe, be vigilant about how close they get to those flickering Jack-O-Lanterns! And if you’ve got young kids, ensure there are no metal pieces or sharp edges to their costumes that could pose a risk. Halloween should be about sugar, not stitches.
Have any helpful advice for good, old-fashioned door-to-door fun this year?
Share it with us in the comments!