I can not tell you my level of excitement this year for trick or treating. Last year I wasn’t sure if the boys would ever have a “normal” Halloween, but as I’ve started making plans and looking for Halloween costumes – I’ve partnered up with Palm Beach Children’s Hospital to help make sure our night of trick or treating is safe and not scary.

Halloween Safety Tips from the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital

Choosing Your Costume

• Make sure you can see. Masks and hoods can make it hard to see. Non-toxic face paints are a much better choice.

• Wear something that reflects light. You can add reflective tape to your costume and treat bag so that drivers can see you. Carry a flashlight to light your way. You can even find one to match your costume!

Fun With Friends

• Younger children should always have a responsible adult or older teenager with them while they trick or treat.

• Take some friends along. A group of three or more is much safer than one.

Plan Ahead

• Plan your route and decide with your parents what time you should be home.

• Only visit the houses of people you know and where an outside light is on. If the light is off, they are probably away from home or not giving out candy.

• Don’t go inside a house to accept candy.

Safety First

• Don’t stand too close to a lighted candle – especially in a jack o’lantern. Your costume might catch fire.

• Whether walking, using your super powers or flying a broom, watch out for traffic. Stay on the sidewalks. Cross only at intersections. Don’t cross or hide between parked cars. Look both ways before crossing the street.

• Don’t cut across yards.

• Have one of your parents or a responsible adult check your candy before eating it. Throw any open packages or homemade treats away. If you have younger brothers, sisters, cousins or friends, don’t give them small or hard candies that can choke them.

Tips for Parents

• Children often want to help carve the pumpkin, but little fingers and sharp objects don’t mix. Let your children draw the face on the pumpkin while you handle the carving. Your children may enjoy cleaning out the pumpkin and saving the seeds to bake for a snack.

• Make sure your children understand the rules of Halloween safety. Develop a game plan and agree on the rules ahead of time. If older children are going out without an adult, make sure they understand the difference between vandalism and tricks. 

• When shopping for costumes, check to make certain the material is flame retardant and that your child’s vision won’t be obscured by any part of the costume. Make sure the costume isn’t too long to prevent tripping. If your child is wearing a hat, check to see that it won’t slip down over the eyes.

• If your child is carrying props like a sword, knife or scythe, check to see that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury.

• You may want to find an alternative to door-to-door trick or treating such as going to a mall or community event. You also may want to host a special Halloween party for your children and their friends.

• Make your home safe for those little treaters. There are special lights that mimic a candle for jack o’lanterns. If you do use a candle, keep the pumpkin on a sturdy surface away from where the children are likely to stand. Don’t leave a burning candle unattended.

• Teach your children that Halloween is about fun. Throwing eggs at a house or car or even toilet-papering trees can be considered acts of vandalism. 

In case of an emergency, the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital is here for all of your child’s emergent needs. When an emergency occurs you want the best treatment possible for your child as fast as you can get it.  Palm Beach Children’s Hospital can provide your family access to some of the best emergency care treatment around, designed specifically for the needs of children. 

In fact, their pediatric emergency room has been voted as Best Pediatric ER in Palm Beach County by readers of South Florida Parenting Magazine for three years. 

For more information on our services go to www.palmbeachchildrenshospital.com or call 561-844-6300.  

Stay safe… and Happy Halloween!