Published: October 29, 2009 09:06 am      

By following a few common sense tips, Halloween can be more safe

Halloween is always a festive time of the year, especially when there are children around. The magic of the season lends itself to making memories for the young and the young at heart.

Halloween’s arrival is usually greeted with cool, crisp evenings and an array of colorful leaves — and this year should be no exception. For weeks, many of us are consumed with carving pumpkins, decorating with fodder shocks and fall’s vegetables, attending costume parties, and, of course, trick-or-treating.

Everyone wants it to be a safe and happy Halloween. By following a few safety tips and using a little common sense, we can help to make the most out of our Halloween season.

When preparing for the big night, help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. It should be fire proof and the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision. If you place jack-o-lanterns with candles on your porch, make sure they are far enough out of the way not to be a danger to children in costumes. If your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or pitchfork, make sure the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause the child injury if he or she falls on it.

As we prepare decorations, it is always enjoyable and a good bonding experience to involve our children (or grandchildren) — just remember to watch the smaller children with sharp knives. If you don’t like the mess of actually carving the pumpkins, you can always use markers and draw faces on the pumpkins. Either way, you can make memories.

Dressing in costume to go door-to-door begging “tricks or treats” from neighbors, friends or at local businesses is the stuff of childhood memories. To keep the evening’s fun meter on high, follow these tips:

• Instruct children to go out during daylight hours only, unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Plan a safe route so you know where your older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your children are old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.

• Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and not to go off the beaten track. They should stay in well lighted areas.

• Instruct your children to stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless you or another responsible adult is with them.

• Never allow small children to go out alone on Halloween. Make sure an older sibling or adult is with them.

• Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.

• Instruct your children to never go into the home of a stranger or get into anyone’s car.

• Make sure your children carry a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

• Let your children know that they should stay together as a group if going out to trick-or-treat without an adult.

It is always better if children are accompanied by an adult. It also is much safer for them to trick-or-treat at locally sponsored events at businesses, churches, schools or festivals.

Halloween is a fun time for children — and a few simple guidelines can help to ensure the fun night is remembered with a smile.