While pondering my Halloween food series, I thought that it would be nice to add other “related” topics. Safety on Halloween night is a huge issue. Did you know that pedestrian related accidents involving children on Halloween is four times higher than any other time of the year? When I was much younger, I remember there being issues with razor blades or glass in the candy and hospitals were actually x-raying to check our goodies and make sure nothing had been tampered with.
First off, what does a smart mom/dad take with them on Halloween to help guide their precious little ones in this childhood passage of spooky fun?
1. Reflective tape. My son is dressing up as Darth Vader this year and I am adding it strategically to his costume so that he shows up better to passing motorists.
2. Flashlights. My family takes one per person. So, if there are 3 of us, then we are utilizing 3 flashlights with fresh batteries. Glow sticks are nice. but I don’t feel that they are bright enough.
3. Bottled water. I carry a backpack and in it I have bottles of water. There is nothing like having a little one half way down a busy street complaining about being thirsty. It’s only going to get louder on the way back to the car or house.
4. Snacks. Why bring a snack when you are getting all this candy? Simple. You don’t have time to inspect it. I like to mix up a combo of Cheerios that I have toasted in a dry pan and M&M’s. It’s a nice snack and they get the taste of “sweet” that they are looking for. Just don’t eat it all yourself.
5. First aid kit. Again, I carry a small one that I put together in my backpack. Antiseptic spray, steri strips and bandages. You will be surprised at how many kids in the neighborhood whose rescue you might come to.
6. Cell Phone. Let’s face it. We don’t like to go to the grocery store without our cell phones, why should Trick-or-Treating be any different?
7. Shoes. Well-fitting shoes that your child normally wears are essential. I realize that sneakers might not complete the “look” of Suzy’s princess get-up, but people are not going to say “How could they make that child wear those bulky shoes? She needs little pumps to complete her outfit”.
Here’s to a safe Halloween! Happy Haunting!
This post was written by...
Lisa – who has written 266 posts on Daily Pinch™.
Lisa Frame is a under-organized, over-achiever. She's a freelance writer covering tech, travel, business, parenting and food. The need for more "me time" has lead her to search the seven corners of the earth in order to find the ever-elusive lazy streak without success. When she's not living online, she's pestering her husband and son in order to test their breaking point and give them something to discuss with the shrink.
