Another year has passed, let’s keep kids safe this Halloween with some simple tips and tricks. COVID-19 still looms over us, though the push for vaccinations, social distancing, and heightened hygiene has helped. International pandemic or not, it is always of the utmost importance to keep our children safe whilst celebrating the spookiest days of the year.
Staying Home This Halloween
If you decide to stay home this Halloween to avoid possible Covid-19 issues, do not fret. There are plenty of great activities to do right at home with your family. For example, you could set up a spooky scavenger hunt around the house, and even outside. Perhaps, you could even invite some kids from the neighborhood, and continue to practice safe social distancing, as needed. Also, you could throw a monster movie night with all kinds of homemade Halloween treats. Overall, the idea is just to be creative and have fun keeping kids safe.
Keep Kids Safe Outside
Here is a scary statistic from the National Safety Council: Children are over twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day. Not surprisingly, lack of visibility and dark costumes are two contributing factors. Therefore, if you and your kids are planning to trick-or-treat or go to a party this year, please follow the below tips to keep everyone safe:
- An adult should accompany all young children around the neighborhood. However, even if you are deemed old enough to go without parental supervision, always travel in groups.
- Add reflective tape or decoration to costumes. Or you might decide to be something neon bright for your evening trick-or-treats.
- Remind children to travel in well-lit areas and on sidewalks. Importantly, if there is no sidewalk, always travel facing oncoming traffic and stay as far to the left as possible.
- Ask that children wait to eat any acquired treats until they come home (at an agreed upon time) to ensure food is safe. Further, this is the easiest way to avoid in food allergy complications.
Lastly, it is important to remember that if you find yourself driving on these spooky nights, you must pay attention. No amount of safety tips will discourage all children from wearing dark costumes – be alert and aware. This is not the night for new or inexperienced drivers. These tips, and many others found in the sources below, will help to keep kids safe this Halloween. Happy Spooky Season!
After more than 30 years, The Merdes Law Firm is closing its doors. It has been our honor and privilege to serve Alaska. Thank you ~ Ward Merdes
Sources: Merdes 2021 Blog; National Safety Council; Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care; Safe Kids
Image Source: AdobeStock
