Trick-or-treating is just around the corner (or down the block)! Your kids, and even maybe yourself, are hyper, distracted, and determined to make the most of the night โ so itโs easy to lose sight on some Halloween best practices. While youโre out having a night filled of โtrick or treats,โ hereโs some things to keep in mind so you have a safe โ but sweet – Halloween:
- Plan a route in advance: You never know where a night of carrying on and sugar highs can take you. To avoid sore feet and a bit of frustration, map out your trick-or-treating plan before the night begins. Stick to where you and your child are familiar with, and try to make your route ends nearby where you began.
- Use sidewalks: When possible, travel from house to house using sidewalks. If you live in an area with busy roads or lack of sidewalks, donโt be afraid to trick-or-treat in a nearby housing development. If your childโs costume is on the darker side, be sure to make them wear glow sticks or something reflective so theyโre visible to drivers. Make sure they know and follow the rules of the road, too.
- Have a meet-up plan: Whether youโre sticking with your kids for the night or theyโre going door-to-door with friends, having a meet-up plan in case someone gets lost is crucial. Be sure to set a strict curfew, too, so no one gets into any mischief.
- Keep your home safe: No matter if youโll be handing out treats yourself or leaving a candy basket on the porch while youโre out, itโs important to keep your own home safe. Remove anything that could cause a child to hurt themselves, remove any valuables, and remove anything that could entice someone to get into mischief. Make sure your house is illuminated if you want trick-or-treaters!
- Inspect the treats: Youโre going to want to ensure your child didnโt receive any โtricksโ or something mysterious in their treat bag. Although rare, food tampering does happen. Go through the goodie pile of candy at the end of the night so your child doesnโt eat anything they shouldnโt, like homemade treats, candy they may be allergic to, or open wrappers.
At Penn Community Bank, weโre committed to serving our communities in more ways than one. For more information, visit www.penncommunitybank.com.
