Happy Halloween! I have fond memories of watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” when I was a kid. Very cool that some childhood icons are timeless!
As you head out tonight with your ghosts, witches, goblins, power rangers, knights, ballerinas, pirates, wrestlers, star wars Jedi, rock stars and friends, don’t forget a few simple safety tips to keep the evening fun and safe for everyone:
1. Not all kids like dressing up and small kids may be scarred of older kids in costumes. Keep the fright fest to a reasonable level.
2. Make sure everyone has a flashlight.
3. Explain to your kids not to eat any candy you have not inspected first. A good dinner before you head out will ward off some of that sugar craving as the bag gets more and more full.
4. Bring some water bottles along in case any one gets thirsty.
5. Have a cell phone on hand just in case of emergency.
6. For kids trick or treating with older teenagers, make sure they know not to go to houses that appear dark and to stay together
7. Keep in mind small kids may only have the stamina for a few houses and may have to head out before it gets too dark; divide up if you have to so one parent can take the little ones out then stay home with them while the other parent goes out later on with the older kids.
8. Don’t be surprised if your preschooler gets shy and won’t go up to the door. That is very typical and very normal. You can do the talking and say trick or treat for your child. If you are with an older child, have the older child take both bags to the door while your younger child stays a comfortable distance away.
9. Go with the flow for young kids – some prefer just to stay home in their costume and give out candy.
10. Don’t forget to have a blast!
These are the biggies.
Here’s to more treats than tricks!
