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Halloween is right around the corner which means it’s time to put the finishing touches on your kids’ costumes and to repurchase the candy you’ve already eaten a couple bags of. One thing you definitely won’t want to forget is to take steps to keep your home and family safe for this holiday. Here are 8 Halloween safety tips to keep in mind while you prep for a spooktacular holiday.
- Travel in groups. Whether you’re out with your kids or they’re old enough to trick-or-treat alone, it’s best to stay in groups. There’s safety in numbers, and drivers will be able to see them easier. It’s also a good idea to make sure everyone has a buddy they can keep track of throughout the night so no one gets left behind.
- Don’t enter strangers’ homes. Remind your children before you all head out for the night that they shouldn’t enter anyone’s home. If you’re out with the trick-or-treaters, it’s important to watch them as they go up to every house. This way, if the kids need help leaving a conversation with the homeowner, you’ll notice and be able to go up and assist them.
- Plan your route ahead of time. It’s suggested to map out the route you plan to take before you head out for the night. You should check the suggested trick-or-treat times in each of the neighborhoods you plan on walking through. This is especially good for older kids that will be going out alone. With a route planned, you’ll be able to estimate where they are and how long they’ll be.
- Be seen by cars. Hundreds of kids will be running around your town on Halloween and it will be more difficult than usual for cars to get around. Make it easier for drivers to see by holding glow sticks or adhering reflective stickers to your clothes. Since so many costumes are mostly black, this is an easy way to make your children more easily seen.
- Clear a safe path to your home for trick-or-treaters. Whether you’re out or at home handing out candy, there will likely be plenty of trick-or-treaters going to your door to ask for candy. Make a clear path up to your door without any obstacles so kids can safely get through without tripping and falling on anything.
- Walk, don’t run. Getting candy from every block on the house is clearly very exciting for kids, but be sure to remind them to walk from house to house. Running is especially dangerous on Halloween with cars driving by and decorations in yards to trip on.
- Pick face paint over masks. Halloween masks are fun finishes to a costume, but try to opt for face paint over masks. Masks often make it more difficult to see which can cause a child to trip or get lost from the group.
- Check your kids’ candy before they eat it. This is a well-known safety tip, but it’s always necessary to check your kids’ candy before allowing them to eat it. If there are any questionable pieces or open wrappers, throw them out right away.
SimpliSafe is a DIY home security system that can keep your home safe on Halloween and every other day of the year. Check out SimpliSafe’s Twitter and Pinterest for more safety tips and Halloween inspiration.
