Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Halloween

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 – so it’s easy to lose sight on some Halloween safety tips. While you’re out having a night filled of “trick or treats,” here’s some things to keep in mind so you have a safe – but sweet – Halloween:

1. 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.
2. Use sidewalks: When possible, travel from house to house using sidewalks. If you live in an area with busy roads or lack of sidewalks, don’t be afraid to trick-or-treat in a nearby housing development. If your child’s costume is on the darker side, be sure to make them wear glow sticks or something reflective so they’re visible to drivers. Make sure they know and follow the rules of the road, too – always walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible. And of course, stay off your phone and keep your eyes on the road.
3. Be in good company: Whether you’re sticking with your kids for the night or they’re going door-to-door with friends, having a meet-up plan in case someone gets lost is crucial. Get the phone numbers of the group your child is out with or make sure your child is sharing their phone location with you. Be sure to set a strict curfew, too, so no one gets into any mischief.
4. Keep your home safe: No matter if you’ll be handing out treats yourself or leaving a candy basket on the porch while you’re out, it’s 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!
5. Inspect the treats: You’re going to want to ensure your child didn’t receive any “tricks” 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 doesn’t eat anything they shouldn’t, like homemade treats, candy they may be allergic to, or open wrappers. Parents, check for any candy recalls online.
6. Wear a safe costume: Let’s make sure there’s no bad luck when it comes to your costume. Be sure it’s flame resistant – this may seem unnecessary, but accidents happen. If you’re walking around outside, include some bright visibility components like a glow stick or reflective tape. Flashlights can provide an added sense of security, too. If your costume requires makeup, test it out ahead of time to avoid allergic reactions.
7. Teach your child about stranger danger: If your child is going trick-or-treating without a parent, warn them about stranger danger. Never enter someone’s home for candy, even if it seems like a genuine interaction.

At Penn Community Bank, we’re committed to serving our community and keeping our neighborhoods safe. For more information, visit www.penncommunitybank.com.