Making your yard safe for trick-or-treaters

To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

Pumpkin carving tips

Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.

Have a spooky filling dinner

Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.

Halloween costume accessories safety tip

Have children use a flexible costume knives and swords, not ones that are rigid or sharp.

Halloween Vehicle Safety Tip

During Halloween, turn on your vehicle’s headlights, even during the day. They make you more visible.

Halloween costume tip

Halloween costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.

Book Suggestion: The Night Before Halloween

Little monsters and goofy goblins take center stage in this silly, spooky spin on Clement C. Moore’s beloved poem.

But what will happen on Halloween when the monsters come face to face with human trick-or-treaters in this fun-filled book The Night Before Halloween

When to trick or treat with toddlers

It is best to hit the trick or treating route early, right near nightfall. Not only do the little ones tire easily and go to bed early, but the more aggressive crowds tends to start roaming the streets later.

Pick the right costume

Halloween now days is more intense than it was in 1970. Costumes can be very scary for a little two year old. While many grand parents want to get creative with their grand children and make home made costumes including vampires, werewolves, and a bunch of fake blood, it is best to go with fun costumes

Halloween and Allergies

Remember that treat-size candy may have different ingredients or may be made on different machinery than the same regular-size candy.

Fire Safety

To avoid any contact with fire, don’t dress your little goblin in any costume with billowing material such as baggy sleeves or flowing skirts.

Fabric choices for costumes

When picking a costume choose fabric that is flame resistant. You can even buy pajamas that have a Halloween theme.

From families.com.

Trick or Treating Tip

Go to the bathroom BEFORE leaving the house to trick or treat. And, choosing a costume that is easy to use the bathroom in.
From: About.com: Child Care

Choosing a costume

When picking a halloween costume consider comfort. A toddler will become cranky if they are not comfortable while sporting their costume.

Be visible on Halloween

Make sure your little goblin is visible after dark. Fix reflective striping to costume, or carry a flashlight or illuminated light stick.

Book Suggestion: Jerry Seinfeld’s Halloween

Halloween

Halloween, by Jerry Seinfeld is a great Halloween story. Buy it today, or borrow it from your local library.
From: Lil’ Fingers Storybooks and Games

Pumpkin Carving Tip

Instead of carving pumpkins, consider decorating with markers & paint. Also consider battery-powered lights for insides instead of candles

Eating before Treating

Feed your kids a healthy meal prior to trick or treat. Kids will be happier & reduce temptation to devour candy from the first stop.
From: About.com: Child Care

Watch for Cars on Halloween

Statistically, Halloween is the most dangerous day for kids. In fact, kids are 4X as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween other nights.
From: iVillage.com

Inspecting Halloween Candy

Talk with your children about eating candy before they get home.  You should inspect the candy before they eat it.
From: TheFamilyCorner.com