Guest Article: Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Halloween 2021
Author’s Bio: Elizabeth Shelby is an author of several coloring books and at her own blog at letscolorimaginations.com . Also a mom and pediatric nurse, Elizabeth Shelby’s heart is close to kids and often writes content for the benefit of kids and parents. In her blog, you can find content mostly about childhood development through coloring as well as the benefits both kids and parents can get out of the fun activity of coloring.
As Halloween nears, kids are excited for trick-or-treating—daydreaming about possible costume ideas and candy. Parents, on the other hand, may feel worried about their kids' safety when trick-or-treating, especially with the threat of COVID-19. If you're a parent concerned about your kids' safety during trick-or-treating, these trick-or-treating safety tips can help you prepare for a safe Halloween.
Read on to find trick-or-treating safety tips on kids' Halloween costumes, precautions for COVID-19, precautions for kids going out for trick-or-treating, and candy consumption.
Halloween Costume Safety Checklist
Aside from dressing up to have fun, kids should also dress up in a manner that would be safe for trick-or-treating. And it's the parents' responsibility to make sure that their kids' Halloween costumes have the following characteristics for a safe Halloween costume.
1. Added Reflective Tape
Since kids will be out at night, it would be a good idea to place some reflective tape on their costumes to make them easier to spot in the dark. This would especially be useful in the streets so drivers can see them.
2. Light Color
Also for the purpose of visibility, parents should have their kids dress in lighter or brighter-colored costumes. However, if a kid really has their heart set on a dark-colored costume, then just make sure to add reflective tape to their costume to make them visible enough.
3. Flame-Retardant
Come Halloween, houses are usually adorned with Halloween decorations that involve fire like Jack-o'-lanterns. So it would be safer to go with costumes with flame-retardant material or materials that won't burn easily. When buying or making a costume, go with flame-retardant materials such as polyester or nylon.
4. Not Obstructive and Harmful
When buying or making a costume, keep in mind that it shouldn't obstruct a kid's vision or breathing, nor should it cause choking, irritation, tripping, pain, or any other harm. Here are some helpful tips on safe costumes:
Wigs and beards shouldn't cover the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Masks can also obstruct vision and breathing. It's much safer to use non-toxic face paint or makeup, but test them on a small portion of the kid's skin first to check for irritation or allergies. They also have to be cleaned off before going to bed to also avoid irritation.
The costume shouldn’t be too long, otherwise, kids could trip.
Avoid colored or decorative contact lenses, unless with the prescription of a licensed eye doctor.
If your kid would be carrying any props, such as wands, swords, knives, etc, make sure they could not possibly hurt anyone. Such props should be made of soft and flexible rubber.
5. Comes With Identification
Especially for the little ones, pinning a nametag with their name, parent's name, parent’s or home phone number, and address on their costumes would be helpful in case they get separated or lost.
COVID-19 Safety
Now that COVID cases are decreasing and conditions are much safer, some kids can finally go trick-or-treating again. If it is allowed in your area, kindly keep in mind these provided precautions.
1. Don’t Forget the Face Mask
Looking spooky or adorable is the goal for trick-or-treating, but the top priority should be keeping your kids and others protected. Especially for younger kids that aren't eligible for vaccination yet, make sure your kids wear fabric or surgical masks when they're going trick-or-treating.
Don't replace it with a Halloween mask, as Halloween masks aren't protective at all. And also don't draw on it, as solvents from the markers or paint can be inhaled by kids and can also tear a disposable mask. There are Halloween-themed masks available if your kid wants a decorative mask.
2. Keep Them Sanitized
Let your kids bring alcohol or hand sanitizer to use when trick-or-treating. Also, remind them to sanitize their hands after visiting each home to decrease the risk of COVID-19.
3. Limit Trick-Or-Treating Buddies and Route
Only let your kids trick-or-treat with a small group, like siblings or a few friends. Also only let them trick-or-treat within your neighborhood.
4. Have Kids Practice Trick-Or-Treating With Social Distancing
Remind your kids to be cautious when trick-or-treating by practicing social distancing with other trick-or-treaters. It can be done in the same manner stores manage check-out lines.
5. Insist Hand Washing Before Eating
Since they've been out to different houses and encountered different people, make sure your kids thoroughly wash their hands before eating the candies they receive.
6. If Sick, Skip Trick-Or-Treating
If you or anyone in the family feels sick or may have been exposed to the virus, it's best to quarantine yourselves to prevent the spread of the virus and try to get better.
Trick-Or-Treating Safety Basics to Practice
A kid who gets loads of candy from trick-or-treating and comes home safely is a happy kid. To have happy trick-or-treaters, practice these trick-or-treating safety basics:
1. Don’t Let Kids Trick-Or-Treat Alone
Children under 12 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Older kids should be encouraged to go trick-or-treating with a group like with siblings, parents, or friends.
2. Plan a Familiar Route for Your Kids and Set a Curfew
By making a route and curfew, you'll be aware of where they're going and when you can expect them home. This will also help you sense if something went wrong.
3. Educate Kids on How to Properly and Safely Go From House to House
You wouldn't want your child to get in danger when trick-or-treating. So you should tell them:
Not to run.
Walk only on sidewalks.
Only walk by well-lit areas and avoid walking in alleys or across lawns.
Check for passing cars before crossing streets, cross streets only through crosswalks, and never assume that cars will stop for them.
Never go inside a stranger's house or car to get candy.
4. Make Sure They Bring Their Phone
Make sure that your kids have their phones with them and that they’re fully charged. That way, they can give you a call in case of emergencies.
5. Let Kids Bring Flashlights
Having your kids bring flashlights would help them see better at night and also help make them more visible to drivers. The flashlight should also be loaded with fresh batteries.
Caution With Candy Consumption
After your kids have collected candy from different houses and safely arrived home, there's still one last thing to be cautious about: the candy they bring home.
Check All the Candy That They Brought Home
Only allow your kids to eat the candy once they arrive home so that you can filter out the bad ones. Throw out the candies that:
Have tears or holes in the packaging.
Seem to be spoiled.
Are Homemade treats from strangers.
Can cause choking.
Conclusion
It's natural for parents to worry about their kids' safety. Although there may be dangers and risks in trick-or-treating, there are ways to prevent them. Parents just need to discuss those necessary precautions with their kids to prepare them for safe trick-or-treating.
Did you enjoy reading this article on trick-or-treating safety tips? Did it help minimize your trick-or-treating worries this Halloween 2021? If so, you can check out letscolorimaginations.com to read more from me, Elizabeth Shelby, the author of this article.
You're going to enjoy my content if you're a parent with kids who love coloring or if you love coloring, yourself. As I am a coloring book author who blogs about coloring and how it benefits both kids and their parents. On my website, you can also find my coloring books for kids and adults.
If you're interested in my blog content and a coloring/activity book, you can join my mailing list, and you can get a downloadable 22-page coloring/activity book as a freebie.