Tips and Tricks (or Treats) for Parents

What’s not to get excited about for Halloween? The crisp autumn air has returned, the colors of the leaves have changed, and the houses are decorated. While children can let the Halloween spirit take over during this time of year, parents know that safety should always be a top priority. We’ve gathered all our favorite safety tips for trick or treating in one place as a refresher for all those celebrating this haunting holiday.

Before
Preparation goes a long way on Halloween night, and parents can make Halloween safety measures weeks in advance.

1. Increase visibility. Keeping track of your child and group on Halloween is paramount. Bright costumes help children stay easily visible at night. Even though you might never be far away, being able to spot your child in a crowd of kids can help you, other parents, and drivers. Additionally, making your children visible at night can keep everyone safe and confident. Outfitting your entire party with flashlights and fresh batteries before Halloween night can help everyone keep track of your adventures.

2. Find the right fit. Parents know that well-fitting costumes keep children comfortable and safe. Buying costumes that are the right size prevents them from dragging near your children’s feet and causing a tripping hazard. If the costume fits but is cut too long, you can always have it hemmed. For this and many reasons, many parents purchase costumes well in advance of Halloween.

3. Get flame resistant costumes. Halloween decorations that include lit candles or real flames can be hazards when your children are walking to front doors. While dresses with large skirts and costumes with capes are popular, they can easily catch fire. Check your child’s costume to make sure the materials won’t catch fire easily. We recommend going with polyester or nylon materials and staying away from glitter.

4. Find non-toxic, hypoallergenic face paint and leave the masks at home. While masks are good fun, running around all night in one can make it difficult for your child to breathe and see their surroundings. Masks also prevent you from seeing your child’s face and monitoring them. Keep masks at home for playtime and see what you can do with hypoallergenic face paint instead. Before Halloween, you can test the face paint on your child’s forearm to make sure they will not have a reaction. Although face paints are popular, they are not always FDA approved. Fortunately, finding face paint with non-toxic ingredients should keep you and your loved ones in the clear.

5. Make sure you and your child pick comfortable shoes. Shoes can make a costume, but they might not make for a successful night if they hurt your child’s feet. Choosing comfortable shoes in advance can get your child excited about Halloween and get everyone prepared for a long night of walking.

6. Review safety rules. Many of the rules your children know already apply to Halloween festivities. Reviewing these rules can help you make sure your children know what to do at all times. You can talk with your child about: looking both ways before crossing the street; being aware of their surroundings; staying close to the group; stop, drop and rolling in the case of a fire; walking on the sidewalk and crosswalks; calling 911 in the case of an emergency; and memorizing emergency contacts in case of separation. Reviewing these tips will make you both feel safer and more prepared for travelling at night.

The Big Day
It’s the big night and everybody is excited to jump into their costumes. Here are some helpful tips to keep your Halloween safe and successful.

1. Eat a balanced dinner before going out. A solid dinner fortifies your child for a night of fun and keeps them from nibbling on too much candy. Plus, parents know how a full meal can dramatically change a child’s mood and outlook. Nobody wants a grumpy trick or treater.

2. Stay safe and travel in groups. Sticking close with an established group and obeying all traffic rules can help everyone have a successful night. Parents know exactly how to stay safe on Halloween. It’s best if your group stays on the sidewalk and crosswalks, walks at all times, looks both ways, walks in the direction of opposing traffic if there’s no sidewalk, crosses streets at the same time, and stays together. Granting some autonomy is nice, and children should always stay in sight of parents or guardians. Staying in well-known neighborhoods and communicating where you’re going helps tremendously. In addition, staying in well-lit areas and visiting houses with lit porch lights helps groups stay visible and safe.

3. Have fun! While we provide many tips for you to keep Halloween productive and safe, the hard parts are all the preparations. Once you and your group know exactly what to do, have fun and enjoy the night.

After
You’ve visited all the houses, your candy carrier has gotten heavy, and everyone has a tired and satisfied look on their faces. Here are some helpful tips about coming home after trick or treating.

1. Check all treats. Candy contamination and tampering is not common, but it is always safe to have a discerning eye. While sweets are hard to wait for, checking wrappers and ingredients of all candies before consumption can prevent mishaps and allergic reactions. Also, strangers may hand out home baked goods, but it’s safer to eat wrapped candies. Stick to baked goods from family and family friends. It’s not fun throwing treats away, but it’s better to know your child is safe.

2. Keep a candy ration. When there’s a long night of trick or treating, you can bet there’s a large haul to be had. Nobody ever wants to be told to eat less candy, but eating fewer pieces can prevent tummy aches. Parents know that limiting candy consumption can keep kids from getting sick and leave more candy for later! At home, you can have your children pick out the candies they will eat that night and the candy they will save for other days. This way, Halloween night stays a fun occasion and your children can enjoy their candy for a longer period of time.

3. Wash off all makeup and paint before going to bed. Parents know their children’s skin can get sensitive. Washing off face paint and makeup before going to bed prevents skin and eye reactions that can affect them after trick or treating. While they may never want to change out of their costumes, they will need to make sure their faces are nice and clean for the next day.

With plenty of preparation, parents can make trick or treating a fun and safe experience for all. Here at Juicy Juice, we are excited for all the festivities, new costumes, and treats. We wish you a safe and memorable holiday.