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Safety keeps the Halloween spooks away
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Halloween is a time for ghost stories, costumes and trick-or-treating. Children will dress up and go door-to-door asking for their candy surprises. To make the evening more enjoyable, children and families should follow some simple safety rules. Sara Watts, Kimball Area School District’s family advocate, said that families and students should take extra precaution during the holiday. She offered safety tips for parents in the Kimball area. “I think that most families around here know each other and interact. They seem to take turns watching each other’s children.” She added that Halloween should be no different than other times of the year. In some cases, she pointed out that there may be more need to help out family friends during the holiday. “It may take a lot of time for families to get ready. Costuming kids alone can be a long process.” Watts said that families should be supportive of one another and work together to make sure kids go trick-or-treating with an adult. If older children are going out alone, they should tell their parents who they are going with and where they plan to stop. Watts said that Halloween is a fun holiday that students should participate in. “I think that it is important to do that. For peers, it is a big issue to say ‘I went trick-or-treating.’” Halloween can also be a time to bring the community together, as costumed children visit neighborhood homes. “Halloween gives families a chance to go visit relatives in the area. Families in the area can visit and reconnect with friends [when they bring their children over].” Watts said the holiday also bonds family members. “The fun of selecting the costume allows the families to connect. Kids get to share their interests with their family in the costumes they pick out. … Later, the parents can talk about having candy that is their favorite.” Out and about While trick-or-treaters are heading out for the night, they should remember to follow these tips. • Eat a big, family meal before sending children out, this will prevent them from eating candy before it can be checked. • Bring a flashlight and walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, children should walk facing traffic so they can see on-coming cars. • Add reflective tape to costumes. • Only approach houses that are lit up. • Discuss appropriate behavior with older children. • Accept treats only outside of the home, don’t go inside a house. • Walk, don’t run. • Look both ways before crossing streets. • Take off masks when walking across streets or between homes. Perfect costumes • Make sure the costume and accessories are flame-retardant. Most items should list this. • Wear make-up as opposed to masks. Children can see better with make-up. • Shoes should fit the child, even if they don’t go with the costume. • Bring props that are flexible so if a child falls, they do not hurt themselves.