How to Trick-Or-Treat Safely in 2024

trick or treat safety

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Happy Halloween! It’s spooky season, which means it’s time for caramel apples, pumpkin carving, and, most importantly, trick-or-treating! While the holidays are fun and exciting, we understand that, to a worried parent, there are many dangers to consider before taking your child out on the town. 

But trick-or-treating can be happy and safe. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep your child protected in Kenosha this Halloween. 

Trick-Or-Treat Safety Tips

Teach Your Child Street Safety

trick or treat safety

Kids are prone to running amok when they get overly excited—and this is especially true on Halloween, where the promise of candy awaits. However, before heading out for the evening, make sure you take the time to remind your child about street safety. Explain to them that it’s important to stay on the sidewalk and avoid the street. (If you’re in a neighborhood where there’s no sidewalk, walk on the edge of the road facing oncoming traffic.) 

When crossing the street, advise them always to look both ways and only cross when on a corner, not in the middle of the street. It’s especially important to caution them about crossing between parked cars, where passing drivers may not see them emerging. Explain these tips to them in a way that doesn’t frighten them, but emphasizes the importance of being aware of their surroundings. 

Make Your Child Easy to See

treat bag and flashlight

While one of the fun parts of Halloween is going out at dusk and seeing all the glowing jack-o-lanterns, you want to make sure it’s easy to have a visual on your child at all times. If possible, have your child wear a bright, light-colored costume. If your child is insisting on wearing something darker, add reflective tape to their clothes or trick-or-treat bag. 

It may also be helpful to give your little one a flashlight, in case they want extra help seeing on their way up to someone’s front door. It can also double as a comforting crutch for children who are more afraid of the dark. While, as a general rule, it’s better to stay in well-lit neighborhoods with porch lights and street lamps, sometimes that’s just not possible depending on where you live. 

Ensure Your Child’s Costume Is Safe

kids trick or treating

Your child may be so excited that they finally get to be a princess or a cowboy, they won’t notice that their costume restricts their breathing or vision, or is hard to walk in. Make sure to look them over before you head out for the evening to ensure they’re comfortable and mobile—the last thing you want is to realize halfway through trick-or-treating that your child is uncomfortable. You may need to trim or alter their costume slightly to make it fit properly. 

 If they have a pointy accessory, like a sword for a pirate, opt for one made of foam versus one made of hard plastic. In the off chance they get into battle with a fellow swordsman, this will ensure that neither they nor the other child gets accidentally injured. 

Incorporate Masks Into Your Child’s Costume

kids in costume wearing masks

While COVID-19 is less rampant than it once was, it can still be a cause for concern—as can the spread of colds, the flu, and other illnesses. If you’re worried about your child getting sick from repeat contact with strangers, try and incorporate a surgical mask into their costume. Whether they’re a ninja, nurse, doctor, skeleton, or something else, find a way to decorate their mask in a way where it easily blends into whatever character they want to play. Not only will it keep them safe, but since it’s part of their costume, they’ll be more likely to keep it on the whole night. 

One thing to keep in mind is that a costume mask does not equal a medical mask! So even if your child wants to put on one of those big rubber heads, they will not offer the same protection as a traditional mask. If you want extra protection, we recommend having your child wear a surgical mask under their costume.

Stay Inside Your Bubble

kid grabbing candy

If you’re nervous about your child walking up to a stranger’s door, you’re not alone. For most parents, after teaching their little ones about “stranger danger” their whole lives, suddenly having them walk up to random people’s houses may seem frightening. If this is something you want to avoid entirely, it may be a good idea to keep trick-or-treating inside your personal bubble.

Try and visit all the members of your family and close friends, and spend the evening driving from house to house. You might be surprised at all the amazing memories you will create visiting with people near and dear to your child. Take pictures, or even play little games at each location. Plus, since you know every house you are visiting, you can rest assured that the candy will be safe! This also creates a great opportunity to teach your child manners by practicing “please” and “thank-yous” on people you know.

 However, if this is not a plausible option, just keep a close eye on your child the whole time they are trick-or-treating. Stand at the end of the walkway or driveway of the house they are going up to, or even follow them up to the door. 

Check Their Candy

child eating candy

Your child is going to be so excited at the thought of their overflowing bag of candy, that they will likely want to dig into it during trick-or-treating or immediately after. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t let them. Remind your child not to eat any candy until you get a chance to look it over back at home. If anything looks suspicious, throw it out. Your child likely has enough candy that they won’t notice or care about a few missing pieces. Try to avoid homemade candies or treats, unless they’re from a close, personal friend or family member you trust. 

If you’re worried about your child going into a sugar frenzy the second they get the chance, try and feed them a healthy, hearty meal before trick-or-treating. That way, they’ll feel more full and sustained throughout the evening, and feel less inclined to fill up on sweets. 

Have Fun!

Most importantly, have fun! At Cornerstone Academy, we understand that trick-or-treating can be scary or overwhelming for parents who are worried about their children but want them to still experience all the excitement of the holidays. Keep these tips and tricks in mind throughout the evening, and you’re sure to have a safe but enjoyable evening.

Kenosha trick-or-treating will take place on October 31st from 4 pm to 7 pm. (Times are subject to change depending on your municipality, get more details here.) If you have any more questions regarding trick-or-treating safety, feel free to contact us today! We’re happy to help.

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