Reviewed and Updated by Troy Frink, MedicarePlanFinder.com
Kids love Halloween because it means they get to dress up as their favorite characters and eat candy. Grandparents love Halloween because they get to see their grandchildren have the time of their lives — it also means your grandkids might share their peanut butter cups.
Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. For example, kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car as they are on any other night of the year. With a little planning and supervision, you and your grandkids can safely enjoy Halloween. Follow these Halloween safety tips for maximum fun and peace of mind.
Safe Trick or Treating Tips
Before you take your grandchildren trick or treating, do the following things to ensure safety:
- Explore Familiar Territory: As you age, it can become more difficult to see at night. Set a curfew for your grandkids and plan a route you’re familiar with. Make sure the route is well-lit and that you stay on the sidewalk. Always bring a flashlight with batteries and your cell phone. Walking around the neighborhood with your grandkids to get candy doesn’t only benefit them, it’s also a great way for you to get some exercise in!
- Inspect Treats Before You Indulge: It may be hard for your grandchildren to wait until they get home to eat their candy, but they should. Look at their candy before they eat it, and throw away anything that’s already been opened, looks tampered with, or otherwise looks suspicious. If your grandkids are very young, remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, and/or hard candy. If your grandkids have food allergies, carefully read the labels to make sure they’re safe.
- Have a Plan in Case You Get Separated: You should try to stay with your grandchildren at all times, of course, but if you do happen to get separated, make sure you have a plan. Give your grandchild a piece of paper with your name and phone number and agree on a meeting spot in case you get separated .
- Make Sure Costumes are Safe: Your grandkids should wear bright colors and flame-retardant materials. If it’s dark, add reflective tape to your grandkids’ trick or treat bags or costume. Masks can obstruct your grandchildren’s vision, so nontoxic makeup may be a better choice. Props with points such as swords and wands might pose safety hazards. If it’s chilly, make sure the costume is warm, or, at the very least, loose enough to wear warm clothing underneath (but not lose enough to create a tripping hazard).
- Attend Trunk or Treat Events: If your area has them, trunk or treat events are a great way for your grandkids to get candy and for everyone to remain safe. In a trunk or treat event, people park their cars in parking lots, decorate open trunks,, and pass out candy to trick or treaters. These events can be a safer alternative to walking from door to door in neighborhoods.
Pumpkin Carving Safety
Carving jack-o’-lanterns may be a time-honored tradition, but it can lead to injuries if you don’t use safe practices.
- Consider Carving Alternatives: Instead of taking a knife to a pumpkin, consider drawing with permanent markers or using puff paint. This tip is especially useful for young children. If you must actually carve a jack-o’-lantern, have an adult handle the knife — no matter how many times your grandkids ask.
- Use Caution With Candles: Put candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns away from curtains or anything else that could catch on fire. Never leave pumpkins with candles unattended and be sure to blow out the flame before you leave. Or, instead of using candles, use battery-powered flameless candles, flashlights, or glow sticks.
Safe Trick or Treating at Home
Part of the fun in Halloween trick or treating is passing out candy at your own home. With a little preparation, you can make your home a safe place for trick or treaters to visit.
- Remove Clutter: Put away tripping hazards such as garden hoses and bicycles. Be sure to clear leaves, snow, or other debris from your sidewalk.
- Light the Area: Not only will lighting your porch, sidewalk, and/or driveway let trick or treaters know that you’re open for business, but good lighting also makes your property safer. Replace any burnt-out lightbulbs to ensure visibility.
- Make Sure Your Pets Are Under Control: Don’t take any chances on a scared pet biting or chasing a trick or treater. Make sure your pets are well-behaved or that they’re in another part of the house.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
We hope the above safety tips are useful and that Halloween is great for you and your grandkids.
