Newswise — Halloween is the one time of year that folks of all ages can dress up as someone or something else, enjoy spooky parties, be ghoulish in their decorations, and get real sick eating candy. Many children look forward to going from house to house in costume to "trick-or-treat."
But despite the fun, safety for those children remains a concern.
Maryland Associate Professor Susan Walker (Family Studies) offers some community-based tips for a safe Halloween. She reminds parents that these go beyond more "common" things parents can do, such as ensuring their children wear safe costumes, providing flashlights for trick-or-treating, checking for razorblades in fruit, etc.
These community-based tips are not commonly thought of, but can help ensure a memorable Halloween experience:
* Connect with other parents of the children that your children are going out with. Together you will know where your children are, and can check in with each other if questions arise. * Be an advocate for children's safety at school and other events. Oftentimes schools will host parties and may have parades. Parents can work with teachers and school administrators to make sure that kids's costumes are safe (e.g., not too long, eyesight not obscured by masks) and that parade routes are free from traffic. If possible, offer to volunteer at the school on the day that Halloween is celebrated to help children with their costumes and walk with children in a parade. * Schools and other organizations who connect with kids can send home simple to read material for parents about safety on Halloween. Suggest that your school make copies for every child and send them home in backpacks and have extra copies at the school. * Connect with neighbors to secure a permit to block off the neighborhood streets for several hours to keep them traffic-free during the prime trick or treat times. * Talk to the local police force about their methods for children's safety during Halloween. Know who and where to call in case of an emergency, or if suspicious behavior or overly zealous pranks are suspected. * Be an advocate for the safety of children other than their own. Many parents work in the evening and are not home during the hours when their children go through the neighborhood for treats. Other adults can watch out for all children's safety, by keeping their own homes well-lighted, keeping streets traffic-free, and offering assistance to children and youth who may appear to be in need.
This release is available online at:http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/culture/release.cfm?ArticleID=1142
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