Freya’s Costume Last year (iPhone pic)
Whether you’re an avid Trick or Treater, you’ve got an awesome party lined up or you’re staying in with a cauldron of tasty treats ready for little witches and ghouls, Halloween can be a great time for all the family.
However, amongst all of the fun of the spooky season, there is a need to be cautious. Trick or treating, and other Halloween festivities are only safe as long as precautions are taken. Those precautions don’t have to ruin the fun but they should encourage you and your children to be a little more safety conscious:
- Ensure your young children are accompanied either by you or another responsible adult
- Only go to houses you know or those within your local area
- Stick to places which are well lit and have a torch handy for walking up pathways and drives
- Don’t let your children eat any treats they’re given until you’ve had a chance to check them over properly and remember to discard anything which looks like it’s been tampered with, which isn’t in the original packaging or which has been homemade by someone you don’t know.
- Wrap your little ones up warm and ensure that their costumes and shoes are safe and comfortable for walking in
If your children are older they may not want you to accompany them but that doesn’t mean you can’t send them off without the best possible advice:
- Always tell a grown-up where you’re going and when you’re coming back. If possible plan your route before you leave and ensure you’ve given it to someone else
- Don’t ever go trick or treating by yourself. There’s safety in numbers so grab your friends
- Make sure you’ve either got a mobile phone or money for a public phone with you just in case you need help
- Don’t EVER go into a strangers’ house
- Cross the road as carefully as you normally would
- If someone has a sign in their window or door saying “No Trick or Treaters” respect it. They could be elderly, ill or vulnerable and could be frightened by you
If you’re staying at home, you might think you’re in the safest possible place which is of course true, but occasionally Trick or Treaters can be a little forceful so don’t open the door if you don’t want to, don’t be afraid to close the door if you’re feeling uneasy, don’t invite anyone into your home if you don’t know them and don’t be afraid to call the police if you’re being troubled.
