Written By: Parenting Contributor, Prerna Malik, TheMomWrites.com
It’s October and chances are you’re gearing up for Halloween. The costumes and face paint, masks and trick-or-treating trips around the neighborhood. Yes, parents and kids alike kick off the holiday season with this fun festival.
However, don’t let the fun make you forget safety. Here are some tips to help you and the kids have a safe Halloween:
1. Warn the Kids About Stranger Danger-
First things first, warn kids about never entering a stranger’s house. Yes, even for candy. Also, encourage kids to go trick-or-treating in groups and if there are young kids, have a teen or an adult accompany them. A cellphone can be handy to have on this occasion. Make sure that the oldest kid in the group knows how to use the cellphone and call in case of an emergency.
Also, teach kids what to do should a stranger try to get them into a car or a house. Yes, preparation is key to safety.
2. Safety Comes First on the Road-
Unfortunately, nearly twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than any other day of the year {source: Safe Kids USA}.
A safe Halloween, therefore, means practicing safe pedestrian behavior. Teach kids how to cross the street and to always walk on the sidewalk and not on the road.
3. Use Reflective Material on Costumes-
Since trick-or-treating involves a lot of walking around, make it easy for car drivers to notice kids by using reflective material on their costumes. Along with practicing safe pedestrian habits, this small inclusion will help kids stay out of the way of cars and motorists.
4. Choose the Right Costume-
Yes, costumes are a big part of Halloween and kids spend weeks planning what to ‘be’. However, without putting a dampener on their fun, make sure you’re choosing and making costumes that won’t make them trip, fall or get tangled up in. Also, avoid giving kids accessories such as swords and canes that may get in the way or poke them or other kids in the eye.
When considering costumes, make sure you choose face paint that is FDA-approved for use on the skin. You don’t want kids breaking out into rashes the day after Halloween. Avoid putting any paint too close to the eyes and remove it as per the label.
5. More Resources for Halloween Safety for Kids-
Safety on Halloween is a big concern and luckily, there are plenty of resources to help parents out. Here is a list of websites that can give you good information so that you can prepare the kids for a fun and safe Halloween well in advance:
Playing it Safe on Halloween by Kids Health http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/halloween_safety.html#
Halloween: A Night for Treats, Not Tragedies by Safe Kids USA http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-spotlight/halloween-safety/
Halloween Health and Safety Tips by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/
So, how will YOU be celebrating a fun and safe Halloween this year?
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