Halloween is one of the most ghoulish times of the year we look most forward to, both for children and adults alike. While we cannot wait to get our hands on carving the perfect Jack-o-Lantern, Halloween can also be a scary time for parents taking their young ones out for the night as days get shorter and cars zoom through our neighborhoods forgetting to be on the lookout for kids. Trick or treat, here are 5 ways to stay safe this Halloween.
- Daylight savings time is right around the corner, and with our days getting shorter it is imperative to make sure your child is visible to others. The fact is, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. Simple tricks to keep your child visible to others include wearing glow sticks or providing your child with a light-up wand or other glowing costume accessory.
- Children go all out to stack up their Halloween goodie stash, but before they enjoy the fruits of their labor be sure to look through their treats to ensure it’s safe for consumption. Key things to look for are tampered wrappers and to see if there are any unfamiliar bumps in the candy, such as a protrusion sticking out on a piece of bubble gum that is ordinarily smooth.
- Halloween is certainly an exciting night for a child, and their excitement can run wild – literally! As your child skips from house to house it can become difficult to keep tabs on them. In the event you and your child do become separated, make sure to discuss an emergency plan and necessary tips before leaving your home so you may reunite safely. For example, don’t go inside a stranger’s home and once you realize you’re separated, do not leave your location. There are also a number of self-help devices available now-a-days that can send help for you child with one click of a button.
- If you’re not out with your child on Halloween, it’s likely because you’re at home handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. While nine times out of ten, when you hear your doorbell ring it will be a trick-or-treater, there is always the rare possibility it’s an intruder. Front door video doorbells are one way you can see directly from your smartphone who is standing at your door – you can even speak back to them from your smartphone! Additionally, motion sensor lights create a dual purpose for homeowners on Halloween, 1) It provides a safe entry for trick-or-treaters making their way to your doorstep, and 2) In case they are not welcomed trick-or-treaters, the lights will help keep at bay any unsolicited individuals.
- Ahh…the porch light turned off at a home on Halloween seems to be a universal sign that that home is out of candy. As your candy bowl is nearing its end and you race off to bed, comfortably turn off your porch light from your bed. Many security systems are able to be synced with home automation, and it’s as simple as one tap on your smartphone within your Alarm.com app to automatically turn on and off lights.
This Halloween, breath a sigh of relief. Monsters, ghosts, and ghouls – try your best. With these safety tips, you can’t scare us!
*Source: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/autumn/halloween
*Source: https://www.safekids.org/halloween