The Mom Chronicles: Halloween Safety

The Mom Chronicles: Here's to a Safe Halloween!


Hi, moms! It's finally here! The spookiest night of the year and it's my goal is to help you prevent anything too scary from befalling your little goblins. As usual, I take my role here as an advocate for you and your kids seriously and that means I did the extra research in safety tips for this years trick or treating season so you don't have to! Perhaps you can use the time you would have spent surfing for these reminders and instead spend it implementing some of them. While not the most entertaining of topics, it's an important one.

So let's start with the basics. As usual, so much of this is common sense. Safety is not meant to be complicated. It's about being aware and alert and prepared and just using your head. Kids can get easily distracted by all the treats and fun so it's your job to stay focused and be sure the night goes on with out any more of a hitch then perhaps running out of candy. If that's the worst thing that happens this Halloween, I think you can consider it a success!

Decorations. I've seen them as simple as a pumpkin on a front step and as elaborate as a giant display with lots of lights and inflatables (one of which can be found on fifth street west, just a couple blocks past the fire department). As with your holiday displays, before putting up decorations check them and their cords for wear and tare. Don't overload electrical outlets, connect more then three strands of lights, or use decor with showing or freying wires. If possible, avoid torches and candles. Consider using those LED or battery operated flickering candles in pumpkins verses real candles that can catch a child's costume on fire. Also, while putting out decorations, be sure to check your yard for trip hazards or other things that could hurt kids walking through your front lawn. Help eliminate tripping hazards.

When it comes to costumes, help your children choose costumes that are fire resistent. Even if they are it is a good time to remind them of the "Stop, Drop and Roll" rule should anything happen. Try to choose costumes lighter in color, and if they aren't consider attaching relfective materials. Choose costumes that are not too long and don't drag on the ground and if your child is wearing a mask, be sure it does not restrict their vision too much. Consider applying make up instead of a mask. If your child is carrying props check to see that they are smooth and flexible that they won't hurt themselves or others. Additionally send flashlights with fresh batteries or glow sticks with your kids to make them more visable. Finally, attach emergency information somewhere on your chid be it under their hat, in their treat bag or inside their costume in the event it becomes necessary.

Before your child goes out the door take time to have a conversation with them. Plan the route you will take ahead of time. Stick to nieghborhoods well lit and familiar. Avoid going to areas that are too much out of the beaten path. Consider dressing up or at least just accompanying your kids. If your kids are at that inbetween stage of not quite old enough to go alone but not quile young enough you need to be at their side, consider following a distance behind either on foot or in the car. Set specific times to return home or check in and remind them not to go in to people's homes or cars. Kids should stay on a front porch that is well lit and visable to others. If your child does not have a cell phone consider sending yours with them. Don't allow your children to go alone, either. A group is better. Send them off with neighbor kids or friends so they are not out alone. Reminders about crossing the road are also important. Have your children avoid crossing in the middle of the street. Instruct them to cross at corners or cross walks where they are more visable to drivers.

One of the biggest temptations for kids is to eat that fabulous Halloween candy before it even hits their treat bag. Candy should be inspected by you before they dig in. To help avoid overindulgence before this occurs, consider cooking a spooky dinner for them ahead of time to fill them up so they aren't so tempted to snack.

Finally, while these will all help ensure a safe trick or treating night, it goes with out saying that our world isn't what it used to be and Halloween isn't perhaps as safe as it once was. It is a holiday full of opportunities for not so good things to happen. While we don't want to shelter our kids from fun things like going trick or treating, we need to be smart about it. Consider bringing your kids to a mall or local stores to trick or treat instead of to peoples homes, or going to a community event or even throwing your own Halloween party. Be aware and help your kids be aware to things that just don't seem right. Don't allow yourself to be caught off guard or make your child an easy target. Halloween after all, is supposed to be fun.

With that, I hope you have a safe and not too spooky night of tricks and treats with your wee ones!

Now, before I go, I must say a full hearted thank you to the generous family that so kindly replaced our stolen pumpkins. It was an awesome surprise to find the new pumpkins on our front steps. You made our Halloween! Thank you!

See you next week!