Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for kids. From candy to costumes, the memories made at Halloween can last a lifetime. To help make sure your kids have a great experience trick or treating consider some to these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics;
Costumes
· When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for the ones with a label that clearly indicates they are flame resistant.
· Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. If your child’s costume does not include reflective material, consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick or treat bags.
· Make sure costume accessories like pirate swords, sticks, wands, hats or canes are not sharp and will not injure your child if they fall on it.
· Consider adding a name-tag with your phone number on your children’s costume.
Safety
Pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween. Trick-or-treaters should follow these safety tips to help prevent accidents that could turn tragic.
· Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
· Make sure your child can see! Avoid masks and costumes that block your child’s vision.
· Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
· If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
· Never cut across yards or use alleys.
· Only cross the street as a group at an established crosswalk. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
· Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
· Use the buddy system. Children 12-years-old and younger should never trick or treat alone.
· Give your kids flashlights with fresh batteries. They may also enjoy wearing glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces!
· Limit trick or treating to a neighborhood and homes of people you know.
Make sure trick-or-treaters are safe when visiting your home too!
Make sure trick-or-treaters are safe when visiting your home too!
· Remove anything that could cause them to trip or fall on your walkway or lawn.
· Make sure the lights are on outside and, if possible, light the walkway to your door.
· Keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters, even if they seem harmless to you.
· Consider children with food allergies when purchasing candy. Stickers, erasers, crayons, pencils, coloring books, and sealed packages of raisins and dried fruits are good alternatives.
Candy Overload
Candy, a parent’s biggest concern after Halloween. Consider these tips to help curb how many sweets and treats your children eat.
· A hardy meal prior to trick or treating will help discourage youngsters from filling up on too much Halloween candy.
· Wait until children are home to sort and check candy. Though tampering is rare, adults should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
· It’s ok to be a little lenient with candy on Halloween, within reason. Afterwards talk with your kids about how the rest of the candy will be handled. Try to ration treats and avoid leaving a large bowl of candy out for your kids to eat at will.
Sex Offenders
If you are concerned about potential registered sex offenders in the neighborhood you will be in, this information may be helpful to you. The Tennessee Department of Correction supervises more than 80,000 offenders who are in the community. During Halloween sex offenders under TDOC supervision are given a strict set of rules they must follow. Those rules include;
· Being in their homes by 6 pm.
· Not having any Halloween decorations.
· Keeping their porch light off.
· Not distributing Halloween candy.
· Not attending any Halloween functions
Before you and your children head out on Halloween, check the TBI Sex Offender Registry to know which houses you should avoid in the neighborhood you plan on trick or treating in.