Halloween is supposed to be spooky, but make sure your Halloween is scary for all the right reasons. Keep trick-or-treating fun because it can have hidden dangers other than the zombies, goblins and ghouls. Here are tips for more fun than fright for both the haunters and the haunted houses.
Tips for Safe Trick or Treating
Creative and Safe Costumes | For Trick-or-Treaters | For Treat Givers | Pumpkin Carving
Creative and Safe Costumes
Whether you’re making them at home or buying them from the store keep a few costume safety tips in mind:
- Masks can obstruct a child’s vision and make it hard to breathe. Whenever possible choose a non-toxic hypo-allergenic face paint and makeup instead.
- Decorate costumes and trick-or-treating bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light-colored clothing.
- Find a way to incorporate glow sticks and flashlights to help them see and help drivers see them.
- Choose a costume that is the right size to avoid trips and falls. Hemlines should be well above the ground. Look for flame resistant fabrics.
- Hats, scarves, and wigs should be tied securely so they won’t slip over children’s eyes.
Haunt or be Haunted
Before you head out make sure everyone has a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating. This will help to discourage dipping into the candy stash before you get home. Make a rule that your children should not eat any candy until they get home. It is important that you check their treats first. A fun homemade pizza that the kids can help cook with their favorite toppings will fill them up. Don’t forget the water so they are well hydrated.
For Trick-or-Treaters
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups. Light them up with headlamps and glow in the dark “jewelry” Make sure there is a responsible individual with your child with a working cellphone that you have as a contact. Consider using FindMy Kids app for iOS or Life360 for Android.
- Know your neighborhood. Make sure you and the kids are familiar with the neighborhood. Social networks like NextDoor offer treat maps so you can plan which houses to hit ahead of time. Avoid dark houses without decorations or pumpkins. Not everyone likes this holiday as much as I do. Stay outside. Children should only accept treats on the doorstep – never inside a home.
- Stay alert. Walk on sidewalks or paths. Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and don’t dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Avoid backyards, shortcuts, and alleys. It’s best to cross the street safely at corners. Always look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Walk with a Wagon: If you have one, take along your collapsible wagon. Take along some extra layers of costume, like sweaters and hats. Take some water, bags for the candy, handwipes and antibacterial sprays. You might even have room for a tired toddler or two at the end of the night.
- Check Child’s Treats. Make it a rule that kids do not grab treats themselves while on the road for adults or the eldest in the group. Wipe your hands and theirs with an antibacterial and you check out their haul before they dig in and then:
- Remove any candy that has loose or opened wrappers (or no wrapper at all).
- Watch for choking hazards for young children.
- Discard candy that has unfamiliar brand names.
- Remember to check carefully for ingredients that may be allergens for your child.
- Be mindful, too much sugar, all at once, can cause stomach ailments. Allow kids to choose their treat but try to limit it to 3 or 4 per day. And, avoid dipping into their treats yourself.
Be safe while driving: On Halloween, more children are on the street after dark than normal. They are so excited that they may run out into the street without thinking so take extra caution while driving.
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Take extra time at intersections; look for kids on medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.
- Most trick or treating happens between 5:30 to 9 p.m. so be especially alert during those times.
- Turn on the headlights a little early so the little ones can see you better.
- If dropping off and picking up trick-or-treaters be sure to use your caution lights
- Eliminate any distractions in your car, like loud music or cell phones, so you can concentrate on your surroundings.
For Treat Givers
Have a Healthy Happy Haunted House
Whether you are handing out treats, hosting a haunted house or having a party take a few steps to make sure your home is safe for you and your ghosts and guests.
Make Way for the Ghouls: Who doesn’t love the look of a fall porch full of pumpkins and big pots of mums? When you’re converting your decor to a Halloween Haunting keep a few things in mind.
- Put up pots and set them aside. If you have, potted mums secure them in a sunny spot for Halloween since you may want to put them back for Thanksgiving or even plant them.
- Clear the porch for trick or treaters. There should be enough space for 4 or 5 kids at the door, as ghouls tend to travel in packs.
- Clear a path. If you can move cars out of the driveway, in the garage or on the street. Secure any extension cords. Rake up any wet leaves.
- Secure your pet for both the safety of the kids and the sanity of the dog.
Welcome your Witches:
- Put out a Jack-O-Lantern or other Halloween decorations to indicate that you are a Halloween-friendly house.
- Keep the porch light on and ensure the path to the door is well lit and free of obstacles.
- Fake your flames. Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns to avoid inflaming guests or yourself. If you do use candles make them votives and ensure they are on a flat surface inside the pumpkin.
- Offer non-candy options. Many parents will appreciate non-sugar alternatives such as pencils, bookmarks, stickers, glow sticks, etc. If you do offer non-candy treats indicate your intent with a teal colored pumpkin. Parents of kids with allergies will understand. Learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project…
You may notice colors other than orange on candy buckets or pumpkins. What do these mean?
Special Colors you may come across on Halloween and their meanings – include:
Teal: to signify a child has food allergies that treat givers should be aware of.
Purple: to indicate a child has epilepsy
Blue: to signify a child may be on the autism spectrum
Pink: to represent and raise awareness for breast cancer
These special colors are becoming more popular and are a great way to foster a safe and accepting environment for all trick-or-treaters.
Pumpkin Carving
Jack O’ Lanterns have been an integral part of Halloween since the Irish brought their traditions to the west. Learn more about the History of Halloween. While many use plastic or foam pumpkins these days, carving your own pumpkin is a fun and creative tradition everyone can enjoy. If you’ve never carved one before here are the 6 main steps.
Select the right pumpkin, fresh with a flat bottom and a nice long sturdy stem. I suggest waiting until the day before or Halloween morning to carve your pumpkin to keep it fresh.
- Wash the pumpkin before carving to avoid mold.
- If you can print your design and trace it onto the pumpkin before carving
- Carefully cut the top of the pumpkin with the knife on an angle at least 3 inches away from the stem.
- Using the stem gently remove the top from the pumpkin and set aside.
- Scrape out the inside of the pumpkin to 1″ – 1 1/4″ thin. A metal ice cream scoop is a perfect tool. Separate the seeds from the pulp and save the seeds to roast later.
- Using a small knife with a long blade, slowly carve out your design elements.
Finally, cut any pulp off of your lid and trim the thick areas so your candle doesn’t burn the top. On Halloween sprinkle a little cinnamon on the inside of the lid.
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds: Clean all the pulp off the seeds and set them aside to dry. Line a cookie sheet with foil and coat with non-stick spray. Spread the seeds evenly on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice; a combo of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, and ensure each seed is coated well. I add a touch of cayenne, salt and sugar to give the seeds an extra special kick. Roast at 350 until you hear the seeds pop, or for about 30 minutes, then gently turn them on the other side and roast for an additional 15 min. Yes, you can eat the shells of the seeds – they add extra fiber!
As exciting as this night is for you and the children take the time to follow a few simple safety measures to ensure this year will be a healthy and Happy Halloween.
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