Halloween common sense safety tips

Halloween used to be a fun time but it can be downright scary or even potentially dangerous. If however you want to avoid potential problems here are a few common sense safety tips for parents wishing to advise their children.

• Children below teenage should always go Trick or Treating with a grown-up.
• Older children (teens) should go in a group of friends preferably with responsible adult
• No one should go trick or treating alone.
• Don’t  accept invitations into homes or cars
• Wear a mask with very large eye holes so that you can see properly or better yet use face paint instead of a mask.
• Ensure that costumes fit well and do not have loose bits which could lead to tripping..
• Do not go to homes where the lights are off If your kids  are pestered or are engaged in too long a conversation with adults or people they do not know, they should run away and go to another group of kids or a supermarket, store or well lit area.
• Reflective  tape on the costumes ensure that drivers can see you easily on or alongside the road.
• Always walk up one side of the road and, then cross the road safely at s stop light and “do” other side of the road in a reverse direction avoiding criss- crossing the road.
• Always walk facing oncoming traffic traffic.
• Have an agreed curfew and ensure that it is adhered to.
• Ensure that the trick or treat group  have at least one cell phone with pre-determined speed dials in case of a problem.
• Ensure that the trick or treaters have identity and contact numbers on their persons or pinned onto the costumes (for smaller children) in case of (God forbid) any untoward event occurs.
• Carry a good torch with a new battery to see in the dark.
• Avoid  apartment buildings. Unless there is a “trick or treat” area in a well lit foyer. Better apartment blocks do this to avoid kids wandering the hallways and different floors of multi-story apartments
• Only allow  kids to go homes  in an agreed  neighbourhood  and to an agreed route
• Make sure that fake weapons are made from breakable cardboard or other softer materials to avoid accidental injury in case the child falls.
• Older kids should not carry toy guns. They could be taken for the real thing!
• Beware of dogs!
• Ensure that the kids do not eat treats until parents have checked them
• Discard open are partly open packages and avoid bruised or marked fruit!
• Finally don’t overeat on the treats – that means you and the kids!