6 Tips for a Safe and Healthy Halloween for Your Child

The anticipation of Halloween has many youngsters planning their costumes well in advance of the actual date. From local pumpkin patches to haunted hayrides to neighborhood parties to trick-or-treating adventures, Halloween offers lots of activities for those who wish to participate in them. In order to make this holiday a safe one for your family, follow the 6 tips suggested here.

Tip 1: Costume Safety

It is important to consider safety features when selecting your child's Halloween costume. The first safety feature involves purchasing a flame retardant costume. Flame retardant costumes prevent against accidental burning should your child get too close to candles or other sources of fire. Parents should also make sure that the costume fits their children well. This strategy will avoid accidental falls that result from tripping over a costume that is too big. It is also important to check the mask if one is worn to ensure the child has a clear view through the eye slits that have been cut into the mask. If necessary, the eye slits can be enlarged to offer better visibility.

Tip 2: Personal Safety Tips

Check out the household flashlights well in advance of your child's scheduled trick-or-treating plans. Make sure that the batteries are new and that the flashlight actually works If necessary, you can always replace the small bulb for the flashlight or purchase a new one. Parents should also set a few ground rules so that their children are safe while trick-or-treating. Setting clear parameters as to the streets that your children can travel will help to keep them in familiar neighborhoods. Children sometimes need reminders not to go into cars with strangers since this poses a clear danger. Children might also need to be reminded not to step into someone's home unless having previously done so with their parent's permission. Providing trick-or-treaters with a working flashlight is another good safety measure that can be used.

Tip 3: Look for Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating

One widely-used alternative to a night of trick-or-treating is a night spent at a Halloween party. Many schools have incorporated this type of event into their schedule. Additionally, a child can host his own Halloween party or attend one given by a friend. Weekend parades or local shopping mall events offer two other viable options for trick-or-treating.

Tip 4: Predetermine Your Child's Route

Predetermining your child's trick-or-treating route is a great way to provide a bit of extra safety. This strategy gives your child a clear idea of where he is allowed to travel. Additionally, talking to children about where and when to cross a street is an excellent way to help keep them safe from harm. Remind your child not to take short cuts such as side alleys or parks. It is also a good idea to instruct your child to go trick-or-treating with other children and to remain in the group that he starts out with in the beginning of the night.

Tip 5: Set Rules for Eating Treats

If parents do not want their children to eat a lot of their Halloween candy while collecting it, the best strategy is to provide a hearty meal before they go out. Prepare something that your children like so that they will eat enough to hold them over while they are out and about collecting candy. Remind your child not to eat any candy that has been opened or looks as though the packaging has been tampered with in some way. The best policy is to instruct your children to wait until they arrive home before they eat anything, but this isn't always the policy that is followed. Therefore, it is important to establish some safety guidelines before your children go out to collect their Halloween stash.

Tip 6: Set a Curfew

Setting a curfew for your trick-or-treaters is a good idea. Not only will it help to keep them closer to home, but also, it will help you to keep track of them. Due to the fact that many households now have cell phones, keeping in touch throughout the night is much easier than in days gone by. Therefore, it is also a practical idea to have your child check in with your several times throughout the night so he can advise you of his whereabouts.