I can’t believe Halloween is here because it makes the end of the year that much closer! The main thing on my mind is spreading the word about some important Halloween safety tips. You know the kids are going to be super excited to run from house to house, grabbing as much candy as they can along the way. You know it’s going to be pandemonium (albeit fun). Here are some of my tried and true tips to help make Halloween safer.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
COSTUMES
I thought I was going to miss out on the whole “dressing up” fun that parents usually have with daughters, but my boys love to dress up. (Tip: once Halloween is over, visit the Halloween and party stores for amazing deals on costumes. You can fill your dress-up bin for super cheap!)
Make sure the costumes fit well – they shouldn’t drag on the floor or have footwear that is too big. You’ll prevent tripping and falling by heeding my warning!
Opt for make-up or face paint in lieu of masks. Masks have a tendency to not fit as well as intended on little ones’ faces, hence obstructing their view of the curb or anything for that matter.
Decorate the costumes and treat bags with reflective tape and stickers to be easily seen while walking around the neighborhood. Add some glow in the dark slap bracelets or glow necklaces too!
HOW TO LIMIT SWEET EATING
Make sure your family eats a solid meal before going to parties and trick or treating. This can help discourage the little ones (and parents alike) from noshing on the candy while walking.
Drink a lot of water beforehand (and hit the loo before you hit the streets), and bring a water bottle with you, as drinking can help curb your appetite.
OUT AND ABOUT
Carry a flashlight and make sure that your cell phone is at 100% as well. You can always use the flashlight on your cell phone should the other one die.
I can’t say this enough – I know the kids are going to be super excited and want to run the streets, but make sure they stay on the sidewalks! Teach them to double check driveways before crossing over them too – sometimes people backing out in their cars don’t look or can’t see well behind them (scary, I know…).
If you will be driving, please be careful when turning corners, at intersections and really anywhere. Kids will be kids and may not look where they are going, so you’ll need that proverbial extra set of eyes.
MOST OF ALL…
Have a great time! Make awesome memories, take lots of pictures, and be safe!
Jeanette says
I love all of these tips, you would think a lot of them are common sense but sometimes you don’t think because you feel like it should be just a fun night. It’s a good reminder. Thank you for sharing.
Dana says
My pleasure Jeanette! You are so right about a lot of these being common sense but everyone gets wrapped up in the excitement so it’s good to have reminders!
Angelic Sinova says
I also can’t believe that Halloween is almost here! Where has the year gone? The Halloween Safety Tips are great! It’s definitely important to be safe on Halloween.
Dana says
I know – time flies! I agree – safety first 🙂
Pam says
These are great tips. We always have a Halloween party and make sure everyone is full before we hit the road to trick or treat!
Dana says
Thank you Pam! Perfect planning on your part – keep those bellies full before hitting the neighborhood!
Natalie says
Thanks for the great tips and printable! We have 3 boys and they love halloween. They plan our theme on November 1 ( 364 days in advance). They take it very seriously.
Dana says
My pleasure Natalie! I love that you plan so far in advance!!
lisa says
These are all great tips. We try to get out and trick or treat early and we always go in a big group with at least 2 adults. It’s so much fun for the kids.
Dana says
Thank you Lisa! This year we are getting together with a few families in the neighborhood to walk around – the more eyes the better!
Liz Mays says
This is helpful advice. We’ll likely have a lot of trick-or-treaters this year. I hope they all have fun and stay safe.
Dana says
I agree Liz – have fun, but be safe!
Nicole says
Very useful tips for Halloween. Planning ahead to eat a good dinner is a great idea because we get so rushed in between getting home from school and the kids wanting to go trick or treating, and they need to fill up on good stuff before all the sweets!
Dana says
Thanks Nicole! We plan ahead and either order pizzas or make dinner super early. There were a few years that we were rushing and didn’t plan dinner properly – it ended it waayyyyy too much candy eaten (by the kids and the parents!)
Mitch says
I like this! I have to remember to be careful and lay out the rules for my 13 year old son who can now go out alone and likes to push the limits. That is not OK, safety first!
Dana says
Thanks Mitch! I am waiting for the day my 11 year old wants to go out with his friends and not his parents…I know it’s coming but wahhhhhh!!!
Alli Smith says
I love the tip about visiting the Halloween costume stores after Halloween. My daughter is the mom to 4 boys and the little ones love to play dress up. They always get a few new costumes at Christmas and they don’t even know how cheap they were.
Dana says
The first few years I didn’t know about the “after Halloween” sale and now it is the first place I go in the beginning of November!
Brandy says
What a great list of Halloween Safety tips for sure. Glad you shared them and I will have to use this printable!
Dana says
Thank you Brandy! I hope the printable comes in handy 🙂
rika says
Thanks for sharing these reminders! I think its very important to limit sweet eating. Have a safe halloween everyone!
Dana says
I agree Rika! Happy Halloween to you too!
Jennifer H says
Safety is definitely important on a holiday like this one. These are great tips.
Dana says
Thanks Jennifer! Happy Halloween 🙂
Dana says
Thank you Jennifer!
Vera Sweeney says
I can’t believe that Halloween is on Monday already!! These are great safety tips so important to remember since it gets to be so dark at night during trick or treating.
Dana says
I agree Vera! I can’t believe how dark it is getting so early! I miss the long summer nights 🙁
coolchillmom says
We are beyond excited for Halloween! I am printing this and keeping it handy so we have a very happy AND safe Halloween
Dana says
Awesome, Happy Halloween!! 🙂
Jenn says
These are great tips. I love Halloween, but have always been a little worried when it comes to safety. The night has always made me a little nervous.
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Thanks for these great and important tips. My kiddos are really excited to go this year.
Rebecca Swenor says
These are awesome Halloween safety tips and an awesome printable as well. It is so important to carry a flashlight and have the kids carry one too if possible. Using make-up on the face instead of a mask is an excellent idea. Thanks for sharing the printable and the safety tips.
Mimi Green says
Great tips, I always make sure the kid’s costumes walking friendly. Last night we used glow bracelets on the kids to make sure they were visible. That is a cheap way to make sure they can be seen.
Amber Myers says
I love these. I’ll keep them in mind. I always want my kids to be safe on Halloween. Some people drive like crazies.
Tara Pittman says
My boys are already planning their costumes. These are good safety tips.
Cristina Petrini says
You know I never thought about these things! Very useful!
Cindy Ingalls says
I remember going through our candy when I was a kid. My mom would claim that there were items we wouldn’t like, when in reality it was the candy she wanted. We always found her stash, especially when getting ice from the freezer.
Amanda says
Safety for Halloween is important! We always give the kids flashlights, never though about reflective tape though.
Dana says
Reflective tape is AWESOME for Halloween!
LavandaMichelle says
Love the tips. My girls can’t wait till halloween, already have their costumes picked out, lol!
Ada says
These are all great tips to make Halloween both fun and safe!
Shalini says
These are some great tips for Halloween. Halloween isn’t quite popular here in India but the safety measures seems suitable for many celebrations.
Dana says
Thanks, Shalini!
Katie Walsh Beck says
Reading this made me realize how much I miss having little ones at Halloween! All of these are very important tips for making the day safe but fun for them 🙂
Dana says
Time flies, right? I’m glad you enjoyed the tips.