One of the staples in American culture, Halloween is a joyous time for children and adults alike to take a brief moment to step out of reality and into their imaginations. For all the bad press it gets, Halloween is enjoyed by millions of Americans each year and it’s not surprising. What adult wouldn’t want to dress up in their favorite costume and skip the monotony of everyday life for a few hours? And what kid wouldn’t want a night filled with more candy than they can handle and a later-than-usual bedtime? Halloween offers all that and more, but it does come with risks that need to be mitigated to prevent a bad evening.
Have a Plan For the Evening
Many people will disagree with this because they’ll say the night should be about carefree joy, and planning brings rigidity to the dance and ruins the spontaneity. That’s a fair point, and we aren’t suggesting a step-by-step plan. However, a loose plan can maximize your enjoyment.
Make a Trick-or-Treat Route
If you’re lucky enough to live in a neighborhood that fully embraces Halloween, this may not apply to you. However, if you happen to live in a neighborhood that is mostly void of children or just doesn’t get into the Halloween spirit, scout out neighborhoods that seem to be embracing the holiday ahead of time. The best way to do this is to look for decorations. A neighborhood decked out in spooky décor during the month of October is a good sign that most houses will be giving out candy.
Plan Dinner
If you’ve ever made the mistake of not planning for dinner on Halloween, you know the importance of this one. Trick-or-Treat starts early these days, usually around 5 or 6 o’clock, so that leaves little time for dinner if you haven’t planned properly. Cooking in is the easiest way to go, but that also presents challenges as you scurry to get your little ones dressed and painted for their big night. Ordering in usually adds convenience, but on Halloween, delivery can be slow. So plan ahead and order early so you’re not waiting for your dinner after the festivities have begun.
Have a Cut-Off Time
Most of the time, Halloween will fall on a school night. To avoid a rough next morning, it’s wise to communicate (and stick to) a planned cut off time so you can get the kids to bed at a somewhat decent hour. Let them know the plan before they’re out on the streets so it doesn’t come as a shock when you pull the plug on the fun. And don’t push the Trick-or-Treating to the last minute. Build in a fair amount of time for them to explore their haul when they get back home. Nothing is worse than not being able to dump all the candy on the floor relish in your pot of sugar gold.
Safety First
While Halloween is safe for the majority of the population, it doesn’t come without increased risks. There have always been the traditional risks associated with Halloween, but in today’s day and age, new threats must be accounted for in order for a safe night.
Stay Out of the Streets
This one seems like common sense, but it is easier said than done when the little ones are on a sugar rush running from door to door. On Halloween, it’s more important than ever to keep your kids out of the streets given that there are 4 times as many children hit by cars on Halloween compared to the average day. There are is also an increase in drunk driving on Halloween night, so make it priority to stay out of the street when you’re Trick-or-Treating.
Do the Candy Check
There has been a lot of debate over the years about whether or not it is necessary to check your kids’ candy before they eat it. Stories of the razor blade in the candy bar have permeated our society and become part of Halloween folklore. While there may have been some isolated incidents of such things occurring, this is largely a myth. But the candy check is still an important safety measure, especially with the rise in fentanyl.
We’ve all seen the images on the news of fentanyl-laced candy. Unlike the razor blade story, this is unfortunately far from a myth. The reality we live in today requires precaution anytime your child is eating something given to them by a stranger. Look for signs of candy wrappers being opened, and if you see any candy brands you aren’t familiar with, it’s wise to toss them.
Go With Your Kids
This may be the best way to ensure your kids’ safety on Halloween night. Years and years ago, it was common for young kids to go out in the neighborhood with a group of friends without a parent. These days, most parents have realized the danger of this practice. While it is true that the majority of time, everything would be fine. But the risk, as small as it may be, is just not worth it. Parents should take the few hours to escort their children around the neighborhood, even when they have older children.
If you have a pre-teen, you know the struggle this can present. They want their independence, but Halloween night is not a good time to let them be on their own. As hard as it may be, it’s a fight you shouldn’t back down from. Having an adult with the kids can prevent a lot of problems and at the end of the day, they’re not going to hate you for tagging along.
Conclusion
We only get to do it once a year, so we should make the most of our Halloween night by following a few simple planning and safety steps. Kids will appreciate the forethought put into maximizing their Trick-or-Treat route, and as a parent, you’ll have peace of mind that their safety is in your hands. Wishing everyone a safe and fun Halloween 2024 from Web Walking!
