Let’s be honest there is something very spooky about Halloween; unlike any other night of the year it appears our parenting rules simply go out the window. Generally, our rules are clear and simple: no wandering around the neighbourhood at night and certainly not unsupervised, no hanging around other people’s houses and most definitely no taking any sweets from strangers. However, at this time of year kids across the country are getting prepared to be knocking on strangers’ doors after dark and accepting sweets. Of course it’s not that sinister, however as Halloween has grown so popular in recent years parents and kids can forget to be heedful.
Our top tips for staying safe this Halloween are:
Younger children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult
Older children should only go out in a group
Go out as early as you can rather than when it’s pitch black
Decide on your route beforehand and check that there is enough street lighting
Cover one side of the road and then the other, so there is less crossing of the road
Agree a return time with older children
Only knock on houses with lights on
Remind children not to go in any house or get into cars
Take a torch
Ensure costumes fit to avoid falls and if wearing a mask check they can see out of it
If possible try to add a reflective strip to any costumes to ensure maximum visibility
Check that the costume is made from fire retardant material
Remind everyone to avoid candles, especially those placed on doorsteps
If using make-up give a patch test the day before to avoid skin reactions
Have a rule that no sweets are to be eaten until you return home. When home check the sweets over and throw any away if the package is open
By taking these simple precautions everyone can enjoy Halloween safely.
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