Tips for a Safe & Happy Halloween

As you gather ideas for your upcoming festivities, keep these tips in mind!

• Opt to have children draw on pumpkins with markers or non-toxic paint.
• If you do decide to carve pumpkins, an adult should do the carving and a battery operated candle or small votive should be used to illuminate the finished product.
• When searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve, look for one that has a slightly hollow sound when tapped, no nicks or scrapes, and a solid bottom to stand on. Be sure to not carry your pumpkin by the stem. If it breaks off, your pumpkin will rot much quicker.
• Don’t throw out those pumpkin seeds! Have children go through the pulp from inside the pumpkin and separate it from the seeds. Put the seeds on a greased baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle with seasonings of your choice (get creative!) and bake for another 20 minutes.
• When shopping for costumes make sure that they are made of flame resistant material. The costume should also fit your child without touching the ground, to prevent them from tripping on it.
• Proper footwear for long distance walking should be worn by children. Light-up shoes are a great option for small children, and athletic shoes with reflective accents are a good option for older children.
• Make sure children are lit up while walking around your neighborhood. Inexpensive glow sticks can be found at a local craft store and attached to your child’s costume and trick-or-treat bag. Flashlights should also be carried by children and parents.
• Walk with children to each door. Do not follow in a car or wait on a street corner.
• Do not visit any homes that do not have a porch light on. These neighbors are either not home, or would prefer not to participate and shouldn’t be bothered.
• If you are uncomfortable having your children trick-or-treating door to door, many local malls and downtown associations put on safe trick-or-treating events. Check with your city’s chamber of commerce website and your local mall’s website for more information.
• Inspect all candy after trick-or-treating and throw away any pieces that are not completely sealed from the manufacturer. Discard any teats that appear to be homemade as well.
• If planning to feed guests after an evening of going door-to-door, make a soup or chili beforehand and put it in the fridge. When you return home just heat it up quickly for a stress-free comfort meal that serves a crowd.

Have a fun Halloween!!