How many times have you seen on your local news, stories about children being hit by a car on Halloween night because they dashed out into the road without reasoning or ran out in the middle of parked cars? It breaks my heart when I hear something like that. For a child Halloween is such an animated and fun night that sometimes they forget all the protection rules you've ever taught them. They are so excited to get to the next house that they shoot over the road without even reasoning of seeing both ways. I've seen it many times in my neighborhood (thankfully no cars were coming); especially when kids are following each other and one falls behind. They dart over the road just trying to catch up with their friends.
On a general day, most parents know what protection precautions to take when it comes to their child's safety, but do you know the extra lengths we should go to on Halloween night? It is our accountability to make sure the children are safe. Even the littlest precautions can mean a lot.
Halloween Night
If you're driving, you have to be aware of the children. Drive Slowly! Watch for children to run out in the middle of cars or in the middle of the street. This is so prominent to stress if you have a youthful driver. When backing down your driveway be rigorous to make sure it is clear. Do not pass stopped cars, they may be unloading children. Have your child wear clothing with reflective markings or tape. There are also glow sticks, pumpkin flashlights and other similar items that you can buy to have your child wear around their neck or pin to their costume so that they are clearly illustrated to motorists after dark. Accompany your child around the neighborhood. If you can't, make sure other adult is with them to supervise. As a parent you know if your child is "old" enough to go around the neighborhood with their friends without you, however it helps to have them wear a watch so they know when the trick-or-treat hours are over and when to head home. always know exactly where they will be and what route they're taking. When picking out a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material. Avoid loose-fitting costumes or billowing material which could accidentally come into taste with a flame. Make sure they have on comfortable shoes that fit. Check your child's costume and make sure it's not dragging the ground where they could trip and hurt themselves. Face paint is always a good substitution for a mask, however if they do have to wear one make sure they have nose and mouth openings and large enough eye holes so as not to block their line of vision. Make sure they know to only go to houses that are well lit and ones that they know someone is home. They should never enter a stranger's home. Have them bring their candy home first before eating anything. Go through it with them and throw out anything you're not sure about. Have them eat evening meal before they go out trick-or-treating. That way they're not as hungry and won't fill up on too much candy.
On Halloween night it's tradition in my family to order pizza and have it delivered. It's such a hectic night with trying to get every person situated into their costume that it's easier than fixing a big evening meal - plus the kids love it. But remember to order early because apparently it's not just a tradition in our household. Pizza has come to be the new "Halloween night dinner" and is among the top five nights of the year for home deliveries along with - the day before Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Super Bowl Sunday.
All parents want their children to be safe. Just use coarse sense on Halloween night. It's authentically prominent especially for younger children, that you go out with them so that you can be their eyes and ears. To them protection is not their top priority - so it has to be yours!
security First On Halloween Night