What you should do
- Be sure your child's costume fits properly.
A costume that is too long can cause a child to trip and get hurt. This is especially dangerous when they are crossing streets or going up and down stairs on front porches. While a costume that is too long probably poses the greatest risk, a costume that is too lose can also cause problems. If a costume is too loose, it can slip down off the shoulders and cause the same dangers as a costume that is too long does. Also a costume that is lose can get caught on fences or other objects, leading to bruises or causing a child to fall and get hurt. You don't need to be a seamstress to help the costume fit better. You can use a glue that works with clothing.
- Give your child a healthy sweet snack before she leaves
If you provide your child with something sweet before she leaves for trick or treating, she'll be less likely to give in to the temptation to start eating some candy before she gets home. You could even have something like chocolate chip pancakes for dinner!
- Set limits on where your child can go
If your child is old enough to go out trick-or-treating with friends (twelve and up), set limits on how far from home he can go. It could be one block in every direction or two blocks in every direction. Or you might want to set other kinds of limits. If you live near a busy intersection, you can set the limit up to that intersection in that direction, even if it is just a half a block away. Some gifted kids love maps, so you could draw and map and plan a route with your child ahead of time.
- Give your child some light
If your child is going to be out after it gets dark, provide give him a small flashlight. You can also provide a glo-necklace or glo-bracelet that helps people see your child even when the flashlight is turned off.
- Write down your cell phone number and address
Whether you are with your child or not, leaving your cell phone number with your child is a smart thing to do. Unless your older child already has your cell phone number memorized, write it down on a piece of paper. You can then tape it underneath the container your child will use to collect goodies. You could also pin it to the inside of your child's costume. You don't want it easy to be seen by just anyone, but it shouldn't be too hard for your child to get to if necessary. Children can get scared or lost and even young children out with their parents can get separated and find themselves alone. If that happens, someone will be able to contact you. Just make sure your phone is charged and you have it with you!
- Agree on a secret code word or phrase
If you haven't already done this, do it now. You and your child should have a code that will let your child know that anyone who is coming for him on your behalf is definitely coming on your behalf! This is a code between you, your spouse, and your child. If someone tells your child that you have asked her to pick him up, you child should ask for that code word or phrase. If that person doesn't have it, your child knows not to go with that person. If you have a trusted friend, you could share it with that friend as well, but it should not be distributed to your entire extended family or circle of friends. The fewer people who know it, the better.
- Take pictures of your child in costume
As unpleasant as the prospect is, sometimes a child gets lost or abducted. When that happens, police need all the information they can get to find that child. Recent pictures are helpful, but a picture of a child in costume who goes missing on Halloween is even better. People might remember the child in the costume more easily than a picture of the same child not in costume. And the more quickly the police can track a child's movements, the more quickly the child can be found. And if your child arrives home safe and sound after trick-or-treating, you'll still have all those wonderful photos!
What you should tell your child
- Don't go inside a house
There is no reason for a child to go inside of someone's home to collect a treat. Tell your child to stay on the front porch. If anyone invites them inside, tell them to leave quickly. They don't need to say anything.
- Be wary of strangers
This is, of course, something we should tell our children all the time, but it's worth repeating. Stress the point that a stranger is someone that the child did not know previously. Sometimes children think that if a person introduces himself, he is no longer a stranger.
- Run from cars
I'm not referring to traffic safety here, but to predators who will drive up to a child or a group of children and offer candy or try to convince them to get into the car. Tell you child not to get anywhere near the car. Some predators can say just enough to get a child close and then they'll grab the child and pull her into the car. You don't need to tell your child your reasons. Just tell her not to go near a car if she doesn't know the people in it.
- Look for mom with kids
If your child gets lost or separated from you, he'll need to find a way to get back to you. The safest way to do this is for him to find a mom with kids. If you have pinned your cell phone number and address to your child's clothing, that mom will be able to contact you and get your child back to you.
- Wait to eat any candy
As hard as it is, children should wait until they get home to eat any candy. That allows you you to check it and make sure it is all safe.
Following these suggestions will help ensure that you and your children have a safe and Happy Halloween!
