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Toys to Kids - Safety Tips for Children during Trick or TreatingHere are the safety tips suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics when following a trick-or-treat trail: 1. Adults must accompany young children even on their neighborhood grounds. 2. If the older children decide to go trick or treating without an adult, plan and review the acceptable route days ahead and agree on the time they should return home. 3. Remind children to only visit homes with their porch lights on and never enter a house or a car when trick or treating. 4. Remind the children to stay in a group and communicate where they will be going. 5. Let the children carry a cell phone for quick communication. It is also advisable to let the children bring flashlights with fresh batteries. 6. Tell them to remain on well-lit streets and never cut across yards or use alleys. 7. Instruct them to always use the sidewalk. If none is available, then they should walk at the far edge of the roadway facing the traffic. 8. Remind children to cross the street as a group in established crosswalks but never cross between parked cars or driveways. 9. Explain to children why they must not assume the right of way during trick or treating. Motorists may have trouble spotting trick-or-treaters. Even if one car stops, it doesn’t mean others will. 10. Law enforcers should be notified right away of any suspicious or unlawful activity. Parents should make sure that the kids’ costumes are safe for use. Here are five safety tips by the AAP when it comes to dressing up your tots: 1. Costumes should be short enough so the kids will not trip over them. 2. Kids toys like swords and magic wands that they carry as props should not be sharp or too long so they will not get injured or injure other children if they trip or fall. 3. The wigs and other accessories kids will use during trick or treating should be flame resistant. 4. Add artfully designed reflective tapes on a child’s costume or props to add greater visibility. 5. Use non-toxic makeup or hats instead of masks or other accessories that can limit or block their vision. When using hats, choose one that fits nicely so the hat will not slide over the child’s eyes. Before the children leave the house, make sure they ate a good healthy meal so they will be too full to overindulge in the sweets they will be receiving. They should also be reminded to sort their treats at home so the parents can check the items for anything spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious. Halloween is a great time for parents and their children to bond. Parents should make sure there is a balance between merrymaking and safety. |