Trick or Treating Halloween Kid Safety Tips
Trick or treating is a popular event in many countries around the world, including Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Scotland and the United States. In most parts of Canada, children are only allowed to trick or treating on Halloween night between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. but , some communities have extended this time period to as late as 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., or 11:00 p.m.
Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween is a very important and essential concern for parents and caregivers alike. Halloween should be a fun time for all; but that’s not always the case as we live in a world where many are corrupt and wicked. Also, many use this time of the year to commit acts of wickedness especially against kids; therefore, keeping children safe on Halloween should be of utmost priority. Children love Halloween as it is the time for scary, frightening fun; dressing up in funny costumes, and parading in the streets going from house to house for goodies. Still, this is a time when safety should be strongly enforced and this guide will help you keep your kids safe on Halloween.
What are the rules of trick or treating?
The following are rules you should follow when Trick or Treating:
1. Always trick-or-treat in groups because it is safer and more fun!
2. Always wear a costume, because it will make you more visible and recognizable to the public.
3. Be aware of your surroundings and be careful when crossing streets!
4. Always carry a flashlight with fresh batteries for safety reasons!
5. Avoid wearing anything that would make you a target for bullies, such as masks or other disguises that cover your face, so as not to scare people away from giving you any money.
6. Wear a costume
7. Knock on doors
8. Never go inside. Let some one hand you candies while you stay outside.
9. Ask for candy politely
10. Take only one piece of candy per house
11. Say thank you to the person who gives you candy
12. Stay on the sidewalk
Choose The Right Costume When Trick or Treating:
Always choose the right costume for your child which fits him or her properly. Moreover make sure that the costume is flame retardant. You should also make sure that accessories, such as wigs are flame resistant as well. To keep your child safe during trick or treating or the party, be sure that his/her shoes fit properly and wigs are not so long that they cause falls.
If your kid is going to be costumed as a knight or a superhero in the party, than make sure the sword being used is not sharp, but very dull and blunted. Since most parties and trick or treating happen at night time be sure to decorate your kid’s costume with glow in the dark accessories and reflective stickers. These accessories and stickers make it easier to be seen at night.
Face masks:
These should be avoided as they limit or interfere with a child’s vision all too often. A much better choice would be face paint but, if your child still wants to wear a mask then make sure eye and nose openings are large and the mask sits firmly in place on your child’s face.
Candies:
Instruct your child never to eat opened candy received from trick or treating. All candies should be examined by parents before consumption. Also, remove candies from the immediate reach of young child who are likely to choke.
Accessories and Jewelry:
Avoid dressing very small children with accessories like beads and jewelry. Children enjoy putting any thing in their mouths so earrings and rings even though they are made of plastic present a choking hazard. So keep those beads away from these small children. .
Why do they say trick or treat?
Trick or treat is a phrase that has been used in the United States and Canada for almost 200 years. It originated from a folk custom called “souling”, which was practiced by the Christian Church during the Middle Ages. The term “trick or treat” is believed to have been first used in print by Robert Lewis Stevenson in his 1884 novel “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”.
Trick or treating was first practiced in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In the past, it was mostly used by children to play pranks on people. But today, it has become a tradition that is celebrated by many families across the world.
What is a boo bag?
A boo bag is a type of bag that has a mouth and its body is made from cloth. The word “boo” in “boo bag” comes from the sound it makes when it’s shaken up.
Why are orange and black Halloween colors?
Halloween colors are orange and black because of the harvest season and the time of year. The first Halloween was celebrated in Ireland around 500 AD, during a Catholic feast day called Samhain. The Irish wore masks to ward off evil spirits and they lit bonfires to keep these spirits away. They also wore costumes to disguise themselves from these spirits.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, which marks the end of summertime in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also a celebration that signals that wintertime is coming soon, which means it’s time to harvest what has been grown during summertime, such as pumpkins.
Trick or Treating in the Past
The first mention of trick-or-treating can be found in a 1927 article from the New York Times. The article talks about children going door-to-door on Halloween and asking for money in exchange for small treats. This was done to help people out during the Great Depression, as they had less money to spend on candy themselves.
In the 1930s, kids would go door-to-door and ask for apples, nuts, or other types of fruit instead of candy because these items were more affordable. Some kids would also dress up in costume and recite poems or songs for their neighbors in order to get their treats instead of just asking for them at their doorsteps.
What Does It Mean If You See a Spider on Halloween?
One of the most popular Halloween symbols – spiders – can have different meanings depending on their color and where they are found.
– Black spiders: These spiders represent death, but also rebirth and transformation. They are often seen crawling on gravesites or at the entrance of homes.
– Brown or yellow spiders: These represent wealth and abundance. They are often seen in fields or around harvest time, as well as near money or food stores.
– Red spider: This is a symbol of good luck and fortune coming your way!
Other safety precautions:
Feed your child before taking or sending them out. Whether it’s a party or trick or treating make sure they left home with something in their tummies. Instruct children about the dangers of knocking on doors when they are alone and also the danger of going to abandon looking houses.
Children also need to know that they should only go the houses where the lights are on, with a group, and that they should only accept candies and gifts at the door. They should never go inside any one’s house. Just about every child has a cell phone these days, so instruct your child to call and let you know what’s going on. Children also need to remember to look both ways before crossing the street and avoid walking in the middle of the street
Safety first should not happen only during Halloween, but, it should be an everyday habit. However, since this is a time of the year when some people become creepy and have been known to act crazy; the need for keeping kids safe becomes more urgent especially at this particular time. Halloween is suppose to be fun and entertaining but since some choose to make it bad then, parents and care givers must do all they can to ensure the safety of their children every day especially at Halloween.
Conclusion: Why Trick-or-Treating is Still a Great Tradition for Kids and Adults
Trick or treating is still popular today, but there are some differences between how it works now and how it used to work. In the past, children would go from house to house knocking on doors, being given treats by the homeowners. Nowadays, many people use their porch lights as a signal that they have candy ready for the kids to come take some.
The tradition of trick-or-treating has been around for centuries and there are many reasons why it has been so popular. One of the most popular reasons why people still enjoy trick-or-treating is because it brings back memories. It reminds them of when they were kids themselves, going door to door asking for candy. Trick or treating is also a great way to get out into the community and meet new people who you may not have met otherwise.