5 ways to keep your kids safe trick-or-treating
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Trick-or-treating is normally the highlight of a child’s Halloween experience, but safety shouldn’t be left in the dark. Here are some tips to keep your kids’ spooky fun from turning into a nightmare.
Trick or treat during safe hours
Although some may want to wait for dramatic effect, waiting until nightfall is unnecessary. A lot of trick-or-treaters are starting in the early evening or late afternoon. After dinner time or an hour before sunset could be the ideal time to take kids out for candy. It also keeps those handing out candy from having to stay up too late.
Be visible
It can be fun to go all out in Halloween garb, but make sure that children are visible in the dark. If anything, use reflective tape or stickers on a child’s costume. This helps keep kids visible to drivers at night. You also need to also make sure kids know to make eye contact with drivers while crossing the road in a crosswalk.
Never go alone
If kids are under 12 years old, it may be best for them to go with a parent. If it’s their first time out on their own have them go with a group of friends and advise them of the safest areas to go trick-or-treating. Kids should be safe visiting neighbors known to the parents.
Check your sex offender registry
It may not be the first thing a parent thinks of to keep their kids safe, but it should be taken seriously. Make sure to know what sex offenders are in or around your neighborhood before going out. Click here to view Idaho’s sex offender registry.
Check Halloween candy
To some people it’s a hilarious prank, but to most of us it’s a cruel trick– leaving needles or sharp objects in candy or fruit. A majority, if not all, of the candy kids get are usually safe. But, there are those rare cases of children finding sharp objects in their goodies. It’s best not to accept fruit or homemade treats at all. Check children’s bags at the end of the night for any treats that could look suspicious or have tampered wrapping.