Halloween is a night for having fun and making the most out of wearing costumes. However, trick-or-treaters as well as people handing out candy may enjoy the night even more by remembering some basic safety strategies. These tips are easy and simple to carry out and can help enhance the unique fun of the Halloween holiday.
Safety in Numbers
Children should be encouraged to go trick-or-treating in a group rather than by themselves. Even in neighborhoods that are familiar and deemed relatively safe, kids should stick together instead of venturing off alone on Halloween.
Parents should ideally accompany their children while they trick-or-treat. However, some parents may feel safe allowing a group of children aged 11 or 12 to trick-or-treat together as long as they stay in a group.
Children who go with parents or trusted adults or in a group of friends are more likely to stay safe. Kids should be reminded that there is safety in numbers when they head out to trick-or-treat on Halloween.
Time Limits
Children may want to stay out for as long as possible to get their goodies. However, parents may agree that there definitely is such a thing as too much fun when they have been out for several hours going door-to-door.
Parents can avoid exhaustion and frustration early by establishing a time limit for how long they and their children will be out on Halloween night. Parents should also make it clear to their children that they will return home after the time limit is up. By reaching this consensus prior to trick-or-treating, both parents and children can make the most out of their Halloween fun.
Doggy Training
Many families forget about the impact of Halloween on their pets. While cats have the luxury of hiding under the bed or in closet, big dogs like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds face a night of constant doorbell rings or knocks at the door. These stimuli can be enough to test the patience of even the best-behaved canines.
Families can prepare for this night by taking their dogs to some pre-Halloween training sessions. The dogs will be taught to remain calm and to avoid rushing the door to jump on the trick-or-treaters. Halloween can pass more peacefully in households with dogs when doggy parents take advantage of this training now.
Safe Houses
Many communities offer Halloween safe houses for everyone to come to and have fun at on Halloween. Adults can bring along their candy to give out to little ones, and parents can take their kids to these sites to trick-or-treat in a safe and festive atmosphere.
These safe houses are commonly located at churches, fire stations, and in school parking lots. They provide a contained and safe location where everyone can enjoy the holiday and all of its fun. Some Halloween safe houses also offer food and drinks like hot dogs and soda for everyone.
Both kids and adults often look forward to Halloween. The holiday can be even more fun when everyone keeps in mind some basic safety tips. These suggestions are easy and inexpensive to follow and help make the most out of this yearly celebration.