Newswise — Halloween is a time of tremendous fun for children and adults. It's the one time of year that folks of all ages can dress up as someone else, enjoy spooky decorations and sneak an extra bit of candy from the bowl of giveaways. Many children look forward to going from house to house in costume to ask for a treat, or warn of a trick and gather a pillowcase full of candy. But parents are concerned for their safety, walking at night, going to houses that may be unfamiliar, and receiving questionable food.
Maryland Assistant Professor Susan Walker (Family Studies) says that there are a number of ways to help make sure Halloween is safe for children. Her best tips point to communities working together so that trick-or-treating is fun for all:
* Connect with other parents of the children that your children are going out with. Together you will know where your children are, and can check in with each other if questions arise. * Be an advocate for children's safety at school and other events. Oftentimes schools will host parties and may have parades. Parents can work with teachers and school administrators to make sure that kids's costumes are safe (e.g., not too long, eyesight not obscured by masks) and that parade routes are free from traffic. If possible, offer to volunteer at the school on the day that Halloween is celebrated to help children with their costumes and walk with children in a parade. * Schools and other organizations who connect with kids can send home simple to read material for parents about safety on Halloween. Suggest that your school make copies for every child and send them home in backpacks and have extra copies at the school. * Connect with neighbors to secure a permit to block off the neighborhood streets for several hours to keep them traffic-free during the prime trick or treat times. * Talk to the local police force about their methods for children's safety during Halloween. Know who and where to call in case of an emergency, or if suspicious behavior or overly zealous pranks are suspected. * Be an advocate for the safety of children other than their own. Many parents work in the evening and are not home during the hours when their children go through the neighborhood for treats. Other adults can watch out for all children's safety, through keeping their own homes well-lighted, keeping streets traffic free, and offering assistance to children and youth who may appear to be in need.
Professor Walker also offers these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council:
Make Your House Safe for Trick or Treaters
* Turn on exterior lights so the children can easily see the front door. * Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard to visitors. * Involve students from a local college or university to help children cross busy street and watch out for misbehavior. * Drive slowly all evening - you never know what creature may suddenly cross your path.
Make the Evening Safe for Your Children
* Host a Halloween party to give children someplace to go instead of trick or treating. * Check out neighborhood events in malls, and schools, that accomplish the same purpose. * Make sure purchased or home made costumes are flame-retardant. Keep them short to prevent trips and falls. * Encourage children to wear comfortable shoes and cover up appropriately for the weather. Suggest that kids wear make-up instead of a mask. * Try to get kids to go out before it's too dark. If they do go out when it's dark out, check out how the costume will show in the dark. Add reflective tape, or choose a lighter color so children are easily seen by cars. * Make sure children never go out alone. Have an adult accompany school-age or younger children. For olds kids going out alone, and in groups, suggest that they only visit familiar houses. * Set a time limit for children to trick or treat. Map out a safe route so you know where they'll be.
Prof. Walker is available to talk about Halloween Safety.
Susan Walker - assistant professor, family studies and state family life specialist, Maryland Cooperative Extension.Expertise - child care professional development, child care policy, parenting education, at-risk families.
Credentials - an expert in family and community supports for children, Susan Walker coordinates child care training for Maryland Cooperative Extension and conducts research on family child care professional development, and rural low income families' use of child care. She is a member of Montgomery County, Maryland, Child Care Commission and co-chair of the public policy committee . She is the co author of: Parenting the First Year Implementation Manual, and developer of the school readiness community assessment, both from the University of Wisconsin-Extension. She is co-author with Moncrieff Cochran of the chapter, Parenting and Personal Social Networks, in Parenting: An Ecological Approach , 2nd Ed. (Luster & Okagaki, in press).
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