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Community Corner

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Little Ghouls

Five tips to keep Halloween safe this year.

My kindergartner and I have learned to make a distinction between “good scary” and “bad scary.” Take Disneyland: Good scary for her is Big Thunder Railroad, which she’s now tall enough to ride (screams of sheer delight). Bad scary is, still, The Haunted House (cries of true terror). These days we try to identify the bad scary and avoid it, while jumping into good scary with all we've got.

Halloween can be either good scary, bad or both. It’s a fine line when it comes to fake blood and hidden faces. This will be our first year venturing away from community organized trick-or-treating in search of a more traditional neighborhood experience. Obviously, we’re hoping for much more good scary than bad.

But no matter the scare-factor of your Halloween, safety is always a top priority. So if you too plan to take to the streets with your little faeries and goblins, here are a few tips to keep everyone from (actual) harm’s way:

1. Stick to the familiar. If you can, stay in your neighborhood to trick-or-treat. It's likely you'll know the people handing out candy. There's also less likelihood of kids getting lost.

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2. Stay visible. It's always a smart idea to take a flashlight and hang glowing lights around your child's neck. This year, we’re taking a friend’s lead and bringing along a wagon with reflectors. That way, drivers can see us, and tired kiddies can get a ride to the next house without too much whining or conflicts.

3. Look for the welcome signs. Hard to believe, but some folks just don't have the Halloween spirit. Trick-or-treat at well-lit homes. Some people may not want to trick-or-treat, but well-lit homes decorated with carved pumpkins are a good place to approach.

4. Practice wearing costumes before the big day. Have your child wear their costume a few times before Halloween to make sure it not only fits them well, but to get comfortable navigating in it. Have them practice climbing stairs in it, too. Make sure children wearing masks can see well out of the eyeholes; if they can't, make the holes bigger before the big day. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

5. When in doubt, throw it out!  
Never let your kids eat Halloween candy before you inspect it in the light at home. Even if you know your neighbors, you should always check to be safe and throw away open candy or anything that looks at all suspicious. As with all things parental, trust your gut on this.

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