Halloween ushers in little goblins, superheroes and fairies, all trick-or-treating to fill their bags with goodies. I fondly remember the years when I took my kids out (and even more fondly that that they never seemed to realize their goodie bags where shrinking faster than they should have!)
As parents and kids prepare for the big night, there are a few practical safety tips to also keep in mind to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.
Cars
Halloween often means large and excited groups of children taking to the streets after dark. Everyone – drivers and pedestrians – need to be very careful. Studies show the risks of being hit by a car, often fatally, are significantly higher on Halloween. The risk is even higher for young children, between the ages of four and eight. Stay close to your little monsters.
Before you and your children leave your house for Halloween, ensure you talk to your kids and remind them to be extra vigilant. Consider the following to help keep them safe in traffic:
And please, please tell your kids not to text and walk. It is always imperative, but especially on Halloween to watch where one is going.
Candy
Instruct children not to eat their treats until they are inspected by an adult at home. When checking your child’s candy, make sure everything is wrapped and that the package has not already been opened or tampered with.
Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children and for kids eating in a hurry (which is mostly everyone on Halloween).
In addition to watching out for cars and being careful with the candy, there are other simple things for parents to think about.
The main thing, really, is to always view what you and your kids are doing through a safety lens...which ultimately makes for a happy and enjoyable Halloween.
Have a spooky time!
Dr. Sohail Gandhi, OMA President