You know that we’re all about child safety at Blinds.com; today we’re taking it out of the windows and onto the streets!
As the ghouls, goblins and super heroes emerge from their lairs this year for Halloween, here are a few trick-or-treating safety tips from our candy-loving team:
Be seen by all – Don’t rely on jack-o-lantern light to guide your little ones through the crowd safely:
- Include white or light colored articles of clothing in your child’s costume if possible
- Add reflective tape to costumes, shoes and candy buckets
- Find some fun flashlights and make it a rule to keep them turned on all night
- Add some glowing bracelets to the Halloween ensemble for even more lit up options
Make a trick-or-treat game plan – with so many friends, neighbors and strangers celebrating the season, here’s how to keep it safe:
- Practice your child’s trick-or-treat route – help your trick-or-treater remember important streets and agree upon an acceptable house route
- Safety reminder sessions help – walking on the sidewalks, staying close to friends, accepting only wrapped candy, stranger danger
- Emergency planning! – Talk out scenarios (separated from the crowd, injuries, stranger danger) so when / if the time comes, they’ll know how to act and who to call for help.
Keep your home safe for visitors – if you’re sticking close to home to pass out candy, don’t forget these prep steps:
- Keep your home well-lit – while a dark imposing house sure is spooky, most parents won’t be too keen on sending their little ghost to your doorstep. Go creative with creepy lighting and perhaps a welcome sign at your gate.
- Watch for trip hazards – in the dark, those cute pumpkins may turn into stumbling blocks. Do a trick-or-treater walk through of your yard, steps and porch before the big night
- Beware of lit luminaries, candles and jack-o-lanterns – invest in flame-free battery operated candles to avoid the stress of a blustery night (and the costumes dragging behind a neighborhood kiddo)