Little ghosts and goblins are excitedly gearing up for Halloween in less than 2 weeks. We all remember how fun it was to dress up and rampage through the neighborhood, collecting candy and playing tricks. Some of us had the best houses mapped out or even descended on housing developments from our country neighborhoods to maximize our candy-collecting efficiency. From Madonnas to monks, clowns to crickets, witches to Wonder Women, many of us have fond memories of costumes that we wore year in, year out.
This year, make sure that your kids are safe by following these rules from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention :
S- Swords and knives (and other blades) should be soft and flexible
A- Avoid being alone. Kids should be accompanied by an adult. If you feel your kids are old enough to go on their own, make sure they're in a group & check in frequently via cell phone or coming home every hour.
F- Fasten reflective tape. If your child will be trick-or-treating after dark, pick up some inexpensive reflective tape and attach it to their costume so drivers can see them better.
E- Examine all treats! Make sure everyone gets a filling dinner before going outside, so that kids are less likely to be tempted to eat candy before you have checked it out. Look at each piece of candy for evidence of tampering with the wrapper. Do not accept homemade candy from people unless you know them well.
One of the best websites for child (and adult) Halloween safety tips, www.halloween-safety.com, offers more in-depth advice, such as not going into strangers' houses, making sure that costumes are flame-retardant and do not inhibit vision or movement, fire safety with candles and jack-o-lanterns, and pet safety tips. It is a great resource for parents and I highly recommend it!