Halloween is an exciting time for most children, but some can struggle with the end-of-October celebration. There are physical risks, the biggest being that more children are injured by cars on Halloween than any other night of the year. Halloween can also cause anxiety or lead to sensory overload in some children.
Your child may prefer not to trick or treat. For children with a sensory disorder or other sensory needs, the sounds, sights and how costumes feel against their skin can be overwhelming, as noted by Dartmouth Health Children's Occupational Therapist Karen Thorp, MS, OTR/L and others in this USA Today article. Follow your child's lead as to what is comfortable for them. For children with these sensory sensitivities, Thorp recommends they have soft clothing under their costume and practice wearing the costume around the house first. If the excitement and all the stimuli that come with trick or treating are too much, you could suggest movies or other alternatives, such as a festive party at home.
As a parent, you may worry about the holiday, too. Join your children 12 and under who trick or treat. Check candy and dispose of any open, damaged, or ripped packages. Ensure your children wash their hands thoroughly after being out to help reduce the chance of getting sick. And follow these safety trick-or-treat tips from Dartmouth Health Children's and Safe Kids New Hampshire.
Top safety tips for kids:
- Be sure your child's costume can be seen by drivers and that it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
- Stay away from Halloween masks. They can obstruct a child's vision and be uncomfortable. If your child does not mind face paint or makeup, it should be non-toxic.
- Make sure your child can be seen. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Bring glow sticks and flashlights to see better and be seen by drivers.
- Keep aware of cars, especially ones turning or backing up. Don't let children cross in between parked cars and have them cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Stay off phones when walking and keep to sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, have them walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- When using a stroller or wagon, consider adding reflective and high-visibility decorations. Something as simple as aluminum foil can help with visibility.
Top safety tips for drivers:
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.
- Be especially alert and take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
For more tips on how to help kids become safer pedestrians on Halloween, and throughout the year, visit www.safekids.org.