A Spookily Safe Halloween

 
Halloween is almost upon us.  Houses are being decorated with cobwebs and skeletons, the candy stockpile is shifting from stores to households, pumpkins will soon be transformed into leering jack-o-lanterns, and the excitement amongst would-be princesses, ghouls, ninjas, witches, Jedis, and superheroes of all shapes and sizes is almost palpable. 

At Harvard Vanguard, we wish everyone a wonderful night of spooks and scares, tricks and treats.  But we also want the frights to be fun, so here are several safety tips for you and your kids. 

Before you go out: The costume

• Do a dress rehearsal with your child’s costume and accessories.  Make sure the hem length is short enough to avoid tripping, shoes are comfortable, and swords, staffs, and other props are flexible and aren’t so big as to interfere with your child’s movements.
• It’s also a good idea to do a “trial-run” with masks or face make-up.  Are eye holes large enough?  Does the mask or hat stay in place so as not to obstruct your child’s vision?  Does face make-up irritate your child’s skin?
• Many but not all store-bought costumes are flame-retardant, so it’s always a good idea to check the label.  For those that are not or for those that you make, there are flame-retardant sprays that can be applied.
• Attach reflective tape to your child’s costume, slide on flashing armbands, or have your child carry a flashlight or wear a light stick to help drivers see them better.
• The weather at this time of the year can be almost anything – check your local forecast and adjust what your child wears so he or she doesn’t get too hot or too cold.

Before you go out: Planning for a safe night

• Make sure your child eats a good meal before going out.  This way, he or she will be less inclined to sneak those treats before you can get home and inspect the candy for tampering.
• If you have older children who are going out without you or another familiar adult, plan a safe route together so that you know where they will be.  Make sure they are going out with a group and that they stay with that group.  If they have a cell phone or access to one, have them check in with you every hour.
• As alarming as this may sound, check your state’s registry of sex offenders; particularly for your children going out without you or a trusted adult – but for your own route if you are going with your child – make sure to avoid the street or area.
• Many towns have curfews, so make sure your child knows what it is; regardless of town expectations, be clear with your child when you expect him or her to be home.
• If older children are attending any parties or events, make sure you know where they’re going to be and have all the phone numbers you need to stay in contact with them.

In the moment: Trick-or-Treating

• We all know excitement runs high on this night, but encourage your children to walk, not run, between houses!
• Use well-marked crosswalks and well-lit intersections whenever possible
• Remind your children to look both ways to ensure no cars are coming before crossing.  Make sure you or an older child has a good grip on the hand of a younger child.
• The safest places to trick-or-treat are well-lit, highly populated streets with sidewalks.
• Tell children to walk around and give candles and jack-o-lanterns a wide berth.  Flowing costumes and an open flame can pose a fire hazard.
• If your child is carrying a flashlight, remind them to keep it pointed at the ground.  Not only is this where the light is needed, but a flashlight beam in the eye can temporarily blind a driver.
• As hard as it is, remind children not to eat any candy until you are all home.
• Remind EVERY child not to enter homes without a trusted adult, never get in a car with a stranger (best not to even approach), and don’t take shortcuts through deserted fields, woods, or alleys.

Back at Home

• You should check all the candy bags for any package tampering or homemade treats that came from a stranger.
• If you haven’t established a “consumption rule” or a “buy-back program” in advance, it’s a good idea to be clear about how much candy – and when – your child can have.
• Remove any face paint or make-up before going to bed to avoid skin irritation (and very messy pillowcases!)
• Make sure jack-o-lantern candles and any other open flames are extinguished before going to sleep.