Grandmaster’s Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

Hi everyone, I’m Grandmaster Azad, your child safety expert. 

I'm here today to give you some tips on how to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Here are 10 basic tips for you:

1.  Choose the right costume. Make sure your child's costume is flame-resistant and fits well so they don't trip walking from home to home. Avoid masks that can obstruct their vision and opt for face paint instead.
2.  Be visible. Add reflective tape to your child's costume and give them glow sticks or flashlights to carry. This will help them stay visible in the dark and reduce the risk of accidents. Always walk and don’t run in the streets from house to house.
3.  Trick-or-treat with an adult. Young children should never trick-or-treat without adult supervision. For older kids who are going alone, set clear guidelines, stick to well-known neighborhoods, households, or businesses, and set a firm curfew for your kids.
4.  Be safe while trick-or-treating. Only approach well-lit homes and teach your children to never enter someone’s house or vehicle unless they are absolutely approved by you beforehand. Stay on sidewalks and avoid shortcuts through dark areas. Never-ever accept rides from strangers!
5. Inspect candy before eating it. When you get home, inspect your child's candy for tampering or potential allergens before letting them eat it. Only eat factory wrapped candies and avoid eating homemade treats made by people you absolutely don’t know and trust. It is a great idea to examine the treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. 
6.  Trick-or-treat in groups. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat with friends and use the buddy system. This is especially important in crowded areas. The buddy system is almost always a deterrent to bad guys who intend to harm others. And this way you will have even more fun hanging out with your friends. Now, remember to never leave your friend alone with someone while you are rushing to another house.  Keep an eye on your friends!
7.  Be aware of traffic. Teach your child to be vigilant while crossing streets and use designated crosswalks. Make sure they make eye contact with drivers before crossing. It is very difficult for many drivers to see dark clothing at night. Use established cross walks and Be aware when you are out there!
8. Choose safe accessories. Avoid props with sharp edges that could cause injuries. Swords, sabers, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible to avoid injuries.
9. Be aware of people you don’t know well and strangers. Remind your children about the dangers of interacting with people you have not approved of. Tell them not to accept rides or follow unfamiliar people. If they see anything suspicious, tell them to report it to an adult immediately with your full support.1
10. Plan your route ahead of time. Agree on a specific trick-or-treating route in familiar areas. If your child is going out independently, set designated check-in times. It would be a good idea to have an app on kids’ phones that shows you where they are at. Apps like “friend finder” work well.  Or have them wear an apple tag so they always let you know their location or at least during trick or treating. 

By following these simple safety tips, you can help your child have a safe and fun Halloween.

Here are some additional tips that you can share with your child:

• Be careful of tripping hazards, such as uneven sidewalks, stairs, and cords.
• Don't eat candy that is unwrapped or damaged.
• Don't leave your candy unattended.
• If you have any food allergies, be sure to check the labels on all candy before eating it.
• Have fun and be safe!