6 Ways To Ensure Your Children’s Safety During Halloween

Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year for kids. They get to dress up and eat tons of sugar treats, but it has its spooky side as well. Dangers can lurk among the monsters if parents aren’t careful. Keep your little ones safe this year by reading about ways to protect them before and during your Halloween festivities.

Experts estimate 3,200 people get Halloween injuries each year, and 46% of those people are under 18. Planning age-appropriate activities will prevent your family from joining those statistics.

You might have some Halloween music playing while your kids are getting dressed up or decorating for the holiday. Even if they’re having a great time, it’s always a good idea to turn the volume down a bit. Kids with sensory challenges may get triggered by loud music because it overloads their auditory intake. You’ll protect your children’s eardrums and their sensory sensitivities by being conscious of music in your home this Halloween.

Keep the same tip in mind if you’re going to watch any spooky movies. They should be at a comfortable volume and cover topics in kid-friendly ways. Instead of watching a horror movie, you might turn on Casper the Friendly Ghost. Ask your kids what they’d want to see to involve them in your new Halloween tradition.

Walking near the road to go trick-or-treating poses risks from passing cars, particularly for young kids. Excited children can run into the street without taking proper precautions, and drivers can have a harder time seeing in the dim lighting. Reflective tape is one solution to keep your child safe this Halloween — stick the removable tape on their costumes, the plastic pumpkins carrying their candy or the back of their shoes.

You should also ensure children have proper adult supervision and stay close to you while walking. If you live on a busy road, you can always visit a local trunk-or-treat instead!

It’s easy to get lost when it’s dark on Halloween night. Ask your kids to use the buddy system at all times, even if your neighborhood has lots of street lights. You’ll prevent anyone from accidentally wandering into the woods alone to find a shortcut between houses. You’ll also have an easier time spotting your children if they run ahead to trick-or-treat.

Experts estimate that 28% of people throw Halloween parties every year, but how many of them are checking their candy? Although there’s no evidence that any kid has ever been harmed by contaminated candy, it’s always smart to check the ingredients list on each product’s packaging. You can help your kids enjoy their sweets and avoid a stomachache from too much sugar.

Americans spend an average of $103.63 on Halloween items each year. If your kids are going to look up costumes online and buy them, make sure you set up two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. Your children might be old enough to guess your passwords, but the second step of authentication will require one of four identification tests:

—A log-in code sent to your phone or email

—A face scan or fingerprint scan

—A phishing-resistant text or email

—An application-based text or email

You’ll get an immediate alert if they try to buy something, which makes their purchases safer. It’s always good to know that your kids are buying costumes or accessories from trusted brands. You’ll stay safer online and protect your kids from falling for online scams.

It’s also a good idea to draw a map of your neighborhood before leaving for Halloween festivities. You could trace the most well-lit streets or houses with known and trusted neighbors to create a route that’s both safe and fun.

You could take a walk with the whole crew a few days before as a practice round. This can also help kids know where they are in case they get separated. 

Make every Halloween extra fun by prioritizing your children’s safety. Consider which simple strategies you want to use, such as putting reflective tape on their shoes or shielding their auditory health with softer music. No matter what you choose, your family will have an incredible time while you reduce the risk of something going wrong.