Halloween Safety Tips for Mom and Dad

Few days are more anticipated among children than Halloween. A chance to dress up in costume and receive free candy, Halloween is a beloved tradition among the nation's younger demographic.

However, kids' excitement is often matched by adults' anxiety, as adults across the country are familiar with the horror stories of Halloween, from poisoned candy to accidents involving costumed kids running out into twilight traffic. For parents wary of Halloween, consider the following safety tips to ensure the day is as magical as the kids hope it will be.

• Go over the travel plan. If kids had their way, they'd travel the globe in the pursuit of free candy. Since that's not a reality, go over a travel route with children if you won't be able to go with them. Be sure they stick to the established travel route, and make sure that route is solely residential roads and no highways.
• Set a curfew. It's best for kids to be home by twilight, when it becomes increasingly difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, particularly those dressed up as witches, goblins, superheroes, etc.
• Make it a group effort. Make sure kids trick or treat in large groups. This makes it easier for drivers to see them, and also provides a security blanket from older kids or adults who might have ill intentions. Also, if you are going with the kids, a few more parents around will give you someone to talk to as you stroll around the neighborhood.
• Kids should be outdoors at all times. Make certain kids know they are never to go inside a neighbor's house in search of candy. The front stoop or porch is as close as a child should get to a neighbor's house on Halloween.
• Don't eat until you get home. While this can be a hard sell, remind kids not to eat any candy before they've arrived home and you've had a chance to examine it all. Good luck selling this point, but remind kids the less candy they eat on Halloween, the more they'll have tomorrow and in the days to come.
• Go with them. While it can be tough for parents to get off work on a weekday afternoon, Mom or Dad should do their best to accompany their kids when trick or treating. If that absolutely cannot happen, then be sure an older sibling goes along or the parent of a friend who your child will be trick or treating with.