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Important Safety Tips For Trick or Treaters

Posted on Oct 18, 2016

Halloween is less than two weeks away and we couldn't be more pumped! Between pumpkin patches, scary movies, costumes and more, there's plenty for kids to be excited about. For us parents, it's sometimes a different story. While Halloween is fun, it's also a little scary. Read these tips and learn how to keep your kids safe this Halloween!

halloween safety for kids

Dress for success.

Might seem like a small tip, but it's a big payoff! Make sure your kids have costumes and wigs that are flame resistant, masks and hats that fit, and shoes that are comfortable for walking. If you decide to use face or body paint, test it on your wrist first to make sure the chemicals are safe for use. If your child's costume includes any weapons like swords, light sabers, etc, they should be made out of a foamy or soft material. If their costume doesn't already have it, consider attaching reflective lights so they'll be easily spotted. 

Check their treats. 

You know those horror stories, the ones you hear about kids candy being poisioned? While we wish these weren't true, they most certainly can be. Before your child goes digging into their treats, sort them out and throw away any that looked opened, spoiled or tampered with, as these are potentially dangerous. Want to prevent the kids from gorging themselves in a sugar frenzy? Feed them a big meal before the go out so they'll be less tempted to splurge when they return. To help ration their treats out, separate into ziploc bags with 2-3 treats, letting them know this is their limit each day. 

Choose your decor wisely. 

Make sure you don't have anything on the front porch of your house the kids could trip on, including wires, big boxes and other props. Also try not to use candles, and we've heard of kids costumes catching on fire! While most kids love pets, consider keeping your dogs inside as well, as some kids are afraid of animals. 

Treat or treat safely. 

If the group of children is under 12, adult supervision is absolute necessary. For groups 13+, make sure the kids have cell phones, flash lights, and a map routed out before they go so you can keep track. Consider setting a deadline to be back home, and let them know to only walk on sidewalks, and only cross at crosswalks. Never go into a house if they invite you, and only go to houses with porches that are lit. 

We hope these tips will help you have safe and worry-free Halloween! For more safety tips for the big night, visit SafeKids.org. For the most clean, safe and fun family fun Halloween experience, head into Monkey Joe's Kenosha for our Halloween Party on Friday Oct. 28th. We'll have prizes, giveaways and more! We'll see you there!