For a safer Halloween celebration

Trick-or-treat! Halloween is finally here! This grand celebration is feverishly awaited by all the little ghouls, princesses and superheroes everywhere! In a day filled with kids running around, candies and sugar highs, it is important parents remember the security aspect of the fete. Here are a few tips to make sure your children have a safe and happy Halloween:

· Your children’s costumes should not obstruct their vision. As it is dark on Halloween night, children who wear costume that impede their vision, risk falling and injuring themselves. 

· Only use hypoallergenic makeup and remove it with a gentle lotion or eye makeup remover, rather than with soap and water. You do not want to end an evening of trick-or-treating by irritating your children’s tender skin. 

· Make sure that the shoes for the costumes fit your children’s feet, and the lengths of the costumes are short enough to allow them to walk unrestricted. Long hems increase a child’s risk of tripping and falling. 

· Make sure the costumes are made with flame-retardant fabrics. 

· Make sure the accessories for the costumes are not pointy or sharp, as your children could accidentally injure themselves or others. 

· Even if we set the clocks back in November this year, it gets dark very quickly on Halloween. Make sure your children are easily visible by applying reflective tape to their costumes, especially if the garments are darkly coloured. You can also use luminescent bracelets and necklaces that are sold in discount stores, or give them a flashlight to carry around. 

· Remind your children that they must visit all the houses on one side of the street before crossing over to the other side. 

· Children should only visit houses that have their porch lights on, and that display Halloween decorations. This indicates that your little babes are happily awaited. 

· Check all the treasures and goodies collected by your children before you let them stuff their little faces. Discard all candies with damaged or opened wrappers, as well as anything you deem suspicious. Extend the fun, and minimize sugar highs, by limiting the amount of candies your children are allowed to eat each day. 

· To get ready before the neighbourhood kids invade your home, make sure you clear the porch area, and the walkway leading to your house. Turn your porch light on and display your decorations so they do not block the way for your little visitors.

We wish you and your family a ghoulishly safe Allhallows Eve!