Halloween Safety

The good news is that for many children Halloween is one of the most fun days of the year. This year we've got the additional treat of an extra hour of daylight on Halloween. We don't change the clock and "fall back" until Saturday night, a week later than we usually do.

The bad news is that Halloween can be a dangerous time. No need to panic or cancel the whole thing but precautions are absolutely necessary.

SAFETY FIRST!!! I cannot stress this enough. When working with parents, children, teachers or anyone involved with the holiday that is the first and most important thing we plan for. After the safety factor is put into place you can focus on the fun.

Don't take safety for granted.
Don't assume that older children, tweens and teens can handle it on their own.
Don't be lulled by the fact that your children are "good". That may very well be but what about the other children and people out there.

Do be firm about your rules for trick-or-treating and parties.
Do be firm about your expectations and curfews.
Do be firm about contact information and itinerary.
Do be firm about how the treats can be eaten and when.
Do be firm about who the children can take candy/food from.
Do be firm about what houses they may visit.
Do be firm about chaperones.
Do be firm about destructive games or activities.

One of my students once came to me the day before Halloween because he didn't know what to do. He wanted to behave and follow the rules we had discussed in class (this was an inner city class in a fairly rough Halloween neighborhood) but his parents were sending him out trick or treating with his 22 year old uncle who was planning on throwing eggs at people. What was the child to do? His parents had the right idea to send him with a chaperone. Unfortunately they didn't know what the chaperone was planning. I contacted the parents and alternate arrangements were made but these are the kinds of things that could happen.

Make plans.
Map a route that is acceptable to you.
Be alert. Be involved.

I hate to be alarmist about these kinds of things but one can't take Halloween safety for granted.

For more specific ideas on Halloween safety check out WebMd's article Halloween Safety: Trick or Treat Tips

Well then, now that that's taken care of -

HAVE FUN!!!!!