Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday! Give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they'll have for life.
Some of you kids already know things that you can do to be safe, like how to cross the street, not to talk to or go with strangers and things like that. But we adults know how exciting Halloween can be and that can make you forget to be careful.
Here's some tips that we have just for you kids, to help keep you safe on Halloween night! Some of these ideas are called "common sense" ideas, that means that they are things that you should know and use every day in life. You are never too young to learn!
1. Instruct your older children to TAKE FRIENDS when “Trick or Treating.”
2. Make sure a TRUSTED ADULT, an older child, or you accompany your younger children when
“Trick or Treating.” A trusted adult is a person parents/guardians have come to rely on
and with whom they and their children feel comfortable. Discuss with your child who will
accompany him or her and make sure you are both comfortable with the choice.
3. Accompany, or make sure a trusted adult accompanies, your younger children to the door
of every home they approach. Become familiar with each home your child visits and the
people who are providing Halloween treats to your children.
4. Teach your children to only enter homes with your prior permission and only approach homes
that are well-lit both inside and outside.
5. Teach your children to NEVER approach a vehicle unless they are accompanied by you,
even if it appears no one is inside the vehicle.
6. Make sure your children wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or glow stick when
traveling during the evening hours.
7. Make sure your children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks.
All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.
8. Teach your children to always stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts, and never go into
isolated areas.
9. Teach your children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report anything unusual to
you and/or law enforcement. Teach your children if anyone tries to grab them to draw attention to themselves and loudly yell “This person is trying to take me,” or “This person is not my father/mother.” Instruct your
children to make every effort to escape by walking, running, or pulling away; yelling; kicking;
attracting attention; and/or otherwise resisting.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN LEHIGH!
Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
