Halloween can be a scary time, and not just for the little
ghouls and goblins seeking candy. Parents worry about checking the
candy for foreign objects, whether their ghouls will be warm
enough, if it will rain.
Halloween can be a scary time, and not just for the little ghouls and goblins seeking candy. Parents worry about checking the candy for foreign objects, whether their ghouls will be warm enough, if it will rain. Parents of older children wonder if when they are out with their friends, they will remember everything their parents have drummed into their heads over the years.
To make your worry-load lighter, parents, here are steps you can take. These are commonsense ideas, but for many, this holiday is a time when commonsense flies right out the window with the witch’s broomstick.
You can make sure, for example, even if you are going with them, that each child has a flashlight or light stick. You can make sure that something on their costume is visible, even if you just stick a reflective sticker or two in strategic positions on their cape. Check to see if they can see from behind that mask – make-up may be a better choice. Make sure the kids cross the streets at the corners and don’t dash out between parked cars. It’s such an exciting night for them that even the best street-crossers throw caution to the winds when a really scary house beckons or a friend is spotted across the street.
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children are four times more likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year.
If it’s time for your ghoul or goblin to fly with friends, make sure you know the plan in advance. If they plan to stop at someone’s house for a period of time, you should know. If they do so on a whim, there is a phone and they should use it. Perhaps this is a good time to loan them your cell phone, if they don’t already have their own.
And there are alternatives for wandering the streets knocking on strangers’ doors. You can take the kids (or the older ones can transport themselves) downtown, where from 5-7 p.m. they can show off their costumes to all the folks there, who will be handing out candy and candy alternatives.
Churches and other organizations are also providing fun ways to celebrate indoors.
But whatever you do, please remember that there are young ghouls and goblins out there. If you choose not to participate in the door-to-door excitement, leave your front lights off. If you are driving around, be aware that you may indeed be frightened when some little princess jumps out in front of your car. Slow down, please, be aware that starting even before it gets good and dark, there will be little ones – and some big ones, too – out there filled with candy, excitement and not a lot of caution. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
