halloweenThe excitement and fun of Halloween is a part of childhood, and a source of long-lasting memories. Any one of us can probably remember most of our childhood costumes; and can still remember the excitement of going out into the neighborhood at night, knocking on doors and trick-or-treating. Coming home afterwards and dumping-out the bag of candies and goodies we had collected was a childhood joy. In later years, as a parent, we share the excitement and fun of our children experiencing Halloween and all its special traditions.

Halloween Safety

Staying safe during Halloween has always been an important issue. Children dressed in costumes with masks were cautioned to watch for traffic, and pay close attention as they walked the neighborhood streets on Halloween night. Most of us can surely remember being told many times that those driving could not easily see us in the dark; some of us couldn’t see as well through our masks or costume hoods; and we needed to be especially careful. Parents accompanying their children and carrying a flashlight to make us all more visible was a routine safety precaution.

In more recent years, other safety issues have presented themselves, including the dangers of drug and alcohol use and its consequences. Unfortunately, there have been instances where candy or treats were laced with drugs, causing harm to unsuspecting children. There is also the potential of teens and adults overindulging in alcohol at Halloween parties, and driving under the influence resulting in impaired judgment and lowered awareness and response time.

Yet Halloween can remain a happy and fun celebration for children and youth, especially when some basic safety measures are known and used.

Tips for Halloween Safety

For pre-teens and teens, the following safety tips are recommended:

  1. Go out for Halloween with a group of at least 3 trusted friends or family members.
  2. Take your ID, your cell-phone, and a flashlight with you.
  3. Plan your trick-or-treating route beforehand, and draw a map of it. If you change your pre-determined route, call to tell your parents or another concerned adult the street or streets you will now be on.
  4. Walk on the sidewalk whenever you can; or in areas where there is no sidewalk, ensure you walk facing traffic.
  5. Avoid the temptation to criss-cross back and forth. Instead, trick-or-treat on one side of the street, then the other. Do not visit houses that are not well lit; and never go inside the house of a stranger no matter the invitation.
  6. Establish an agreed-upon time for your teen to be home, no exceptions.
  7. Refuse any offers of a drink of any kind; a taste of any substance of foodstuff; or any direct offer to try an alcoholic drink or a drug.
  8. As tempting as it is, do not eat any of your treats or goodies until you get home and look them over carefully in good lighting for any signs of tampering or alternation. Get a parent to help you. If there is any suspicion as to the safety or content of identity of a substance—simply throw it away.
  9. Plan an alternate activity instead of trick-or-treating, or attending teen Halloween parties where there will likely be alcohol and/or drugs. Many communities and churches offer local Halloween events which are family-oriented, safe and fun.

Most importantly, ensure your children and teens know the risks of alcohol and drug use, and its consequences–and not just on Halloween. Set aside the time to talk with them, and let them know you do not want them using drugs or alcohol. Above all, set a good example for them, and know that what you do and say as a parent does matter.