Trick-or-treating is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Halloween. But whether you spend all year or all of the previous week picking out costumes, there are a few other things you’ll need to prepare. Here are some trick-or-treat tips to keep your Halloween, safe, fun, and more treat than trick.
Tips for safe Halloween trick-or-treating
Choosing a safe Halloween costume for trick-or-treat
When deciding between a fantastic fantasy character or creepy critter costume, you’ll want to consider how safe they can be while roaming the night. The easiest factors to consider are:
1. Avoiding bulky or loose-fitting costumes
A Transformers costume made out of boxes or a long and flowing fairy dress may be cute for pictures, but when your little one is walking, running, and jumping around in excitement, it can be easy for them to slip or trip over their own two feet. Plus, tons of bulk or extra fabric can make it easier for other kids to trip someone up. Therefore, make sure your tiny ghoul’s garb fits properly and any loose ends can be tied or held close.
2. Using face makeup instead of masks or hoods
It’s already dark outside. You don’t want to make it harder for your child to see by covering their face with a mask. Instead, try using non-toxic, FDA-approved face paint or makeup. Before the big night, test the paint on a small portion of your child’s skin that’s not on the face. That way, an itchy or irritated face won’t put a stop to their night.
3. Looking for fire-resistant costumes
An iconic part of Halloween is the Jack-o-lantern. However, there’s no guarantee that everyone will use LEDs to light up the night. In this case, it never hurts to look for flame-resistant Halloween costumes. That may seem a little tough if you already have a costume in mind, but it’s important!
Additionally, consider the ways to reduce fire hazards during the holiday by using LED candles and never leaving lit candles unattended. While fire may be covered by your home insurance, your carrier and rates may thank you later for not filing a claim.
4. Brightening up your costume
If your child’s costume is more cute than creepy, you may just want to opt for a lighter-colored costume. Bright colors can help your child better stand out to drivers and surrounding groups.
If your child is dead set on a darker costume, add a bit of reflective tape. There are tons of colors available at hardware stores and around the internet, so you don’t even have to ruin the aesthetic!
While Trick-or-Treating
This spooky night doesn’t have to be scary for other reasons if you know what to watch on your night out. While you’re out with your trick-or-treaters, keep these tips in mind:
1. Teach kids not to play in Halloween traffic
Just because the streets are full of trick-or-treaters doesn’t mean it’ll be empty of cars. Reinforce the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street and not darting out into traffic. Teach children to walk facing the direction of cars so that drivers can clearly see them and vice versa. They should also watch for cars backing out of driveways and not to look at electronics while crossing the street.
2. Use flashlights or glow sticks to light up the night
Light sources can not only help children see better while walking around, but glow sticks and accessories can be a fun add-on to a costume that will increase their visibility.
3. Bust out the buddy system for trick-or-treat
Children under the age of 12 should NOT trick-or-treat without an adult. Even if you reinforce safety rules, young minds tend to forget in all the excitement. You’ll need to go with young groups to act as an extra set of eyes and ears. If you feel comfortable letting children over 12 go door to door without you, at least make sure they’re trick-or-treating in a group. There’s power in numbers!
4. Only allow kids to trick-or-treat at well-lit houses
It’s a long-spoken rule for a reason. Houses with porch lights on are ready for trick-or-treating fun because the lights offer a highly visible, safer environment.
5. Reinforce Stranger Danger
Even if they’re trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, chances are you don’t personally know everyone who lives around you. So, reinforce the concept of stranger danger. Remind your child never to go inside of someone’s house or to accept candy from strangers in cars.
6. Inspect the spoils of trick-or-treat
Once the kiddos bring in their Halloween haul, inspect their treats before they dig in. Candy should be factory-wrapped, and don’t let anyone eat anything that has been unwrapped or looks homemade. For younger children, you should also sort out smaller candies that could be choking hazards.
Halloween may be prime time for some good-natured frights, there’s no need to fret over your child’s trick-or-treat fun with these tips. There’s also no need to worry about getting the best home insurance when you work with our agents. Our team is made up of professionals in the industry who know how to save you money while getting the policy you need. To start getting free, customized homeowners’ insurance quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!
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