Written by Lindsay Hollaar, Mama's Cuppa
Ready to scare up some fun this Halloween? Trick-or-treating is a tradition in my household and I’m sure it is for many of you too! To help you plan a safe Halloween night for your family, I have a few tips and tricks of the trade.
1. Research your neighborhood. Consider the demographics of your neighborhood. Is it a kid-friendly area where homeowners will be prepared for trick-or-treaters right when school is out? Maybe your neighborhood has mostly older children that typically trick-or-treat after dark. Plan out what time you will leave, a basic route, and what time you’ll return home. Consider telling your child the schedule for the night so that you set the expectations from the beginning. *If you’re looking for an area to trick-or-treat before dark, proceed to tip number two below.
2. Trunk-or-Treat. The church I attend, Columbia Baptist, hosts an annual Trunk-or-Treat in the church parking lot. If you’re not familiar with trunk-or-treating, it’s trick-or-treating, but from the trunk of decorated car’ trunks! Children and families dress up and visit each trunk to get candy. Generally, these events are held in the late afternoon before it gets dark for the little ones. Take a look in your local community to see if there are Trunk-or-Treat events near you!
3. Bring flashlights and wear safety LEDs. This one might be a no-brainer, but don’t forget to bring a flashlight or two along to help navigate the neighborhood. Areas that are usually well-lit may be darker for the Halloween ambiance! As an added safety feature, you may want to wear LED flashing wristbands to make it easier for drivers to see you on the road.
4. Travel in groups. If you have an older child who is going trick-or-treating without you, be sure you know who they are going with, when they plan to return home, and stress the importance of staying in communication throughout the night. I would suggest that children be in groups of three or more for trick-or-treating. You might consider checking in with the other parents of the group so you all know the plan.
5. Check the candy. Never accept candy or treats that are homemade. Candy to be given out to trick-or-treaters should be unopened and individually wrapped for safety. As a rule of thumb, it’s best practice to check the candy in your child’s treat bag before letting them indulge. If your child has food allergies, this is an especially important rule to follow.
6. Avoid dimly lit homes. It’s likely they are not well lit for a reason. They may not want trick-or-treaters visiting their home and their wishes should be respected.
Here’s to a spooky good Halloween to you all! Oh, and remind your little ones to use the magic words - “please” and “thank you”!