This post originally appeared on the Missing Children’s Network website
Halloween night and the weeks of preparation leading up to it, can be very exciting for children of all ages. It’s a special celebration shared with their family, friends and community that gives them the rare chance to walk around their neighborhood at night.
The trick to making Halloween a real treat is by following these “sweet” safety tips:
Before Halloween:
- Choose bright costumes and have your children carry flashlights or glow sticks so they are easily visible.
- Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighbourhoods with well-lit streets. Make sure to identify all the safe places where your children can seek help in case of an emergency.
- Make sure your children know your cell phone number and address in case you get separated. For older children, consider giving them a cell phone so they can reach you easily.
- Remind them, not to text while walking or crossing the street!
- Teach your children to say NO!, in a loud voice, if someone tries to grab them or leave with them.
On Halloween Night:
- Make sure older children take friends and stay together while trick-or-treating.
- Remind your children to visit only those homes that are well lit and decorated and always wait on the porch.
- Remind your children not to approach any vehicle or accept a ride unless they have your permission to do so.
- All good things must come to an end! Make sure that older children respect the agreed upon time to return home.
- Carefully inspect all the treats and immediately discard any that are unwrapped.
Happy Halloween!
About the Missing Children’s Network
Founded in 1985, the Missing Children’s Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist parents in the search for their missing child and to educate the public in order to decrease the occurrence of children disappearing. The Missing Children’s Network works proactively with families, law enforcement, social-service agencies and other community organizations to assist families in crisis. Case Managers provide a support network for child victims and their families and offer assistance with reunification, counseling, referrals, support and crisis intervention services. For more info, visit http://missingchildrensnetwork.ngo/.
