Half term has already begun for some and children are looking forward to a spot of trick-or-treating, but how do you ensure your little ones have fun and stay safe this Halloween? Here's our guide to making sure your plans for a spooky evening of fun, go exactly how you'd want, starting with the biggest safety tip of all.

Be aware of what can happen to a Halloween costume

Despite a number of accidents and even some high profile cases, Halloween costumes are currently still classed as toys rather than clothes. That means they’re subject to less rigorous safety tests than regular clothing and as such could be much more flammable. A layer of regular clothing underneath they costume can provide a small amount of protection and it makes sense take care around open flames and place candles out of reach of children, but to avoid any risk of fire use battery-powered lights and candles in pumpkins.

If a child’s costume does catch on fire the advice from The National Fire Protection Association is to: Stop, Drop and Roll.

Stop – the fire victim must stop moving, which may fan the flames or hamper those attempting to put the fire out.

Drop – the fire victim must drop to the ground, lying down, covering their face with their hands to avoid facial injury.

Roll – the fire victim must roll on the ground in an effort to extinguish the fire by depriving it of oxygen.

Watch a stop, drop and roll video suitable for little ones here

Plan your route in advance

Trick or treating could take you several streets away so be sure to map out a trick or treating route, keeping to residential areas that are safe and well lit. Keep to pavements and look for the safest places to cross the road. When little ones get excited after seeing a particularly well-decorated house they might be tempted to run across the road or away from the group. Make sure you have more than one adult supervising your group, it's definitely helpful when these situations come up.

Be safe and seen in the dark

Another way to have fun and stay safe this Halloween is to add reflective accessories to costumes to help children stand out after dark and be easily spotted by motorists. Halloween costumes themselves can also help children to stay visible in the dark. Orange stands out in dim light, as do bright white sheets, white ‘bandages’ and white ‘bones’. Glow in the dark or fluorescent face paints and accessories will also help children to be seen. Asa final touch, why not take a torch and pop it in a lantern or inside a pumpkin head for maximum creepiness combined with visibility.

Check the length of your costumes

Long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous, especially at night. To avoid your child tripping up, check the length beforehand and make any alterations necessary to ensure it doesn't get in the way.

Only knock on doors of houses that are displaying Halloween decorations

Over the years it has now become accepted practise that if a home is welcoming to Halloween visitors, then let this is indicated with a pumpkin on the doorstep or in the window or other Halloween decorations. Similarly, when you go trick or treating with your little ones, only knock on the doors of homes that are decorated in this way. As you celebrate Halloween in the years to come, you’ll come to know the streets where everyone loves to get involved – and the roads where you won’t get many participants at all.

Stick together

Make sure all children know not to go off on a solo mission. Let them know they must always stay with friends and their accompanying adult. If you’re the adult going along with the children, have some fun with it. Dress up and be part of the spooky festivities because your little ones will really appreciate it!

Let there be light!

Make sure your planned route takes your group only along well-lit areas. Stick to the streets that you are familiar with, and avoid shortcuts through dark alleys. If you're not sure where a street goes or whether it is safe, don't take a chance on it.

Stop, look and listen

Just because there's a party atmosphere it doesn't change the usual rules of road safety! Adults and older children also need to remember never to cross the road while texting or using a mobile phone. Similarly, if you’re driving on Halloween night then make sure you watch out for little monsters! Excitable trick or treaters could easily run out into the road from between parked cars so make sure you stick to the speed limit in residential areas and give yourself plenty of time and distance to brak.

Check your child’s sweets

At the end of the night when you begin sorting through sweets, throw away any that are not in their original wrapping, or that look as though they may have been opened. It's better safe than sorry!

Alternatives to Trick or Treating

Host a Halloween Party!

If you feel trick-or-treating is not for you, but you still want to have fun and stay safe this Halloween, why not organise a little party for your little ones and their friends? Our blog has a number of ideas for fun Halloween food and drinks that you can prepare. Often, kids want the spookiest atmosphere possible. When it comes to a Halloween party, this may mean turning off the lights, but if you’ve got tables and chairs in your party room, make sure they’re put somewhere safe where your little monsters can’t run into them and fall over. If you’re concerned about apple bobbing as a game at your Halloween party, try a safer alternative by stringing up ring doughnuts for little ones to eat with their hands behind their backs or try some homemade Halloween recipes.

Organise a Halloween Scavenger hunt

This spooky version of an Easter Egg Hunt and is a great way for smaller children to enjoy ‘Trick-or-Treat’ fun, without having to leave home. We've written a blog post all about it!

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We do hope this blog helps you to ensure your little ones have fun and stay safe this Halloween.

We hope you’re feeling inspired and if you are, we’d love you to consider sharing it or saving it to Pinterest using the image below. Thank you!

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