Strategies to Make the Holiday a Treat
Everybody loves Halloween…a chance to get dressed up, watch a scary movie with friends or family and bring home a big old bag of candy. But you don’t want a fun night to end up at the emergency room or an urgent care facility. Your kids will be excited, wanting to race from house to house. There will likely be a fair amount of traffic on the roads. Here are some tips to ensure that everyone comes home safely.
- Bright costumes increase visibility—It’s going to be dark when your kids go trick-or-treating…help them choose costumes that stand out, so that they are easily visible to motorists. Among the most popular costumes this year are Spider-Man (that bright red and blue will definitely stand out), angels (white is always a good color for a safe Hallowe’en), dinosaurs (make it bright green), clowns (need we say more) and cheerleaders (with lots of flash). Other top costume picks include characters from the mystery/supernatural series Stranger Things, as well as the comic book icon Harley Quinn. If your kids absolutely have to go as Dracula, Frankenstein or a vampire, insist that they have some reflective tape or carry a glow stick. You can also buy flashing lights that can attach to a costume.
- Make certain the costumes themselves don’t pose an unnecessary risk—Don’t put your children in outfits that will impede their field of vision or pose a tripping hazard. That oversized costume can look cute, but it can be dangerous.
- Accompany your children when they go trick-or-treating—If your children are under the age of 10, it’s really best to be close by while they make the rounds. If they are under five, you should probably be at their side at all times. With the older kids, you can hang on the sidewalk, but you’ll be there when they cross the road.
- Don’t let your kids cross in the middle of the street—In all the excitement, kids can bolt across the street, either to meet a friend or go after a treat. Insist that they cross only at corners or in crosswalks.
With a few simple precautions, you can rest easy, knowing your kids will have all the fun of Hallowe’en without risk of injury.
