Halloween Safety Tips To Keep Your Children Safe

Posted on October 29, 2009
Filed Under Personal Safety, Videos

Halloween Safety Video Courtesy of Expert Village

Halloween is always a really fun time for little children and parents. I can remember how much fun it was dressing my kids up for Halloween. The best times were when I used a “made up” Halloween costume of stuff that I had around the house. When my daughter was real little she only wanted to be something non-scary so she was a Monchichi monkey, a Cinderella, or something that would not be scary to a little girl. For my son – the scarier the better!!

Times have dramatically changed since my kids were little. We have child predators, child molesters, and just flat out crazy people who steal children in a split second. Halloween in the past was about making sure your kids didn’t get razor blades inside their candy. Now when we stress child safety it’s about parents praying they don’t lose their kids through some type of abduction or worse while they are out “trick or treating.”

We all know what we should do to keep our children safe, but it never hurts to reiterate and remind ourselves again about Child Safety. We hear way too often about a child who gets abducted in broad daylight. Halloween trick or treating starts in the early evening when it’s getting dark - so we need to be even more alert to safety issues.

Parents and children have a great Halloween and stay safe!!

2009 Halloween Safety Tips

1. Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “Trick or Treating.”

2. Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.

3. Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardian.

4. Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

5. Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night.

6. Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.

7. Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.

8. Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority.

9. Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is not my father/mother/guardian

10. Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community centers as a good alternative to “Trick or Treating.”

11. Take a flashlight with fresh batteries to help guide you and your child’s way even if there are street lights in your neighborhood. Again, reflective tape added to your child’s costume or shoes is good idea.

12. Tell your children not to eat any of their treats until they come home so parents can inspect each and every piece.

13. Walk don’t run. Walking is safer and by not running children will be able to observe traffic more easily and each other.

14. Children should stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Avoid walking through yards and driveways.

15. Provide your child with emergency identification – like a bracelet or necklace. Place your child’s name, telephone number and address somewhere on their costume, closing or a piece of paper in their pocket.

* Partial list from Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Have a fun time with your children and a Safe Halloween!!

Have a fun time with your children and a Safe Halloween!!

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!