HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS:
- Plan the route you and your children will take ahead of time. Talk to them about the importance of staying in well-known areas, on well-lit streets, and about avoiding shortcuts through back lanes or cutting through people's property. Once they are old enough to go out for Halloween without an adult accompanying them, know the route they will be taking.
- Young children should be accompanied by a trusted adult. Once children are old enough to go out on their own, they should use the buddy system or travel in groups. There is increased safety in numbers!
- Teach your children to avoid going into people's homes for treats. Instead, encourage them to stand outside the door while waiting to receive their goodies!
- Teach children not to go places with anyone without first having permission from you or the adult in charge.
- For older children who are going out with friends, arrange a time for them to check in and a time for them to be home for the night. Have them call to make arrangements if plans change.
- Make sure younger children know their personal information (full name, address and phone number) in case they wander off.
- Teach children which houses they can go to if they run into any trouble.
- If possible, have older children take a cell phone with them trick-or-treating.
- Teach children to trust their instincts. Talk to them about the importance of knowing that when something doesn't 'feel right' to them, that they should trust that feeling and remove themselves from the situation as soon as they can.
- Make personal safety education an integral part of your family's everyday life.
