It wouldn’t be Halloween without a little fright night fun! It’s the one evening you get to celebrate all things macabre with creepy costumes, mysterious masks, haunted houses, scary shadows, and playful pranks. And let’s not forgot the Halloween rite of trick-or-treating. There are plenty of ways to keep it spooky without sending people into a panic or endangering yourself or others. Stick with these trick or treating safety tips to ensure a happy (yet still hair-raising) Halloween…
Stand Out
Make sure you can be seen by wearing bright or reflective clothing. If your costume is dark, carry a flashlight to light your way. This helps you see where you’re going and enables others (particularly motorists) to see you.
Be Careful When Crossing the Street
Don’t assume that drivers will see you! It’s a busy night with lots of foot traffic and distracted drivers on the road. Use extra caution when crossing the street to avoid any incidents. Again, use of a flashlight is recommended.
Don’t Run!
Always make a point to walk, not run when crossing the street. When you run, you have less time to react to any dangers that may arise. And if you are moving too quickly, it makes it harder for drivers to stop to avoid impact.
Avoid Carrying Real-Looking Weapons
While a broomstick, pitchfork, or magic wand might seem innocuous, any costume weapon that resembles a real weapon (i.e. machine gun, machete, sword, etc.) could be misconstrued for the real thing. It’s best to leave these at home when trick or treating.
Obey the Police
If for some reason (whatever the case may be) that you are stopped and confronted by a law enforcement officer – don’t make any sudden movements and obey ALL instructions. Police officers are on heighted alert during the holiday and want to ensure both your safety and the safety of the community. Cooperate so that you can continue on with your evening.
Follow the Light
When trick or treating, only approach well-lit homes – both to save time and avoid any danger. If the house doesn’t have any lights on, oftentimes that means that no one is home to hand out candy – so don’t waste your time even approaching. On the flip side, poorly lit homes might pose a risk for injury if you can’t see the walkway or any potential hazards to your safety.
Examine Your Treats Carefully!
First – throw out any handmade products to avoid risk of food-borne illnesses or allergies. Then take an inventory of your stash. If any candy has torn or loose packaging, toss it in the trash. You want to avoid anything that has been tampered with or might be a risk to consume.
Don’t Eat Everything at Once
While it might be tempting to go on an all-out candy binge, you’ll thank yourself in the morning for portioning your intake and avoiding any sickness due to over-indulging. Do an inventory, sort your favorites, and treat yourself to a few choice items. Save the rest for later.
Make the most of your Halloween evening by following these trick or treating safety tips. Keep it real while keeping it safe on this haunted holiday!