Halloween is all about spooky and frightful things, but trick-or-treating shouldn’t be one of them. Here are some great tips to keep the holiday safe and fun for kids:
- Make sure young children are accompanied by a parent or caregiver while trick-or-treating.
- Add reflective tape to costumes, shoes or trick-or-treating bags.
- Remind kids to only visit homes that are well lit and have their porch lights on — and to never enter anyone’s home or car.
- Encourage children to stay in a group, and set a clear time for everyone to return home.
Be on allergen alert
Sugar tsunami aside, Halloween can stir up some serious concerns if you have a child or grandchild with food allergies. In fact, many popular Halloween treats contain common allergens, including nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.
If your child or grandchild has a food allergy, emphasize the importance of waiting until they return home before digging into treats to make sure they’re safe to eat. Even if a particular candy is usually safe for your child or grandchild, “fun size” or miniature versions can contain different ingredients, so you need to check the labels on each one.
Smart tip: If your child or grandchild has a food allergy, make sure they have an epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times.
