If you have decided to embrace the tradition of Halloween this year and venture out onto the streets with your kids, then you are certainly in for a treat – or dozens of treats to be more accurate.
Australians seem to be well and truly getting on board with Halloween for the past years with our Halloween costumes, props and all. This may mean for some of the kids, it’s the first time they’ve experienced it.
So before you head out onto the open street or let the kids go about, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Know Your Neighbours
It might be a good idea to head over to your neighbour’s houses in advance and ask them if they plan on participating in Halloween this year.
The last thing you want is to disturb them by asking for treats when they don’t have any. Not to mention your kids could be feeling a little disheartened if they end up knocking on several houses and still come home empty-handed.
Get together with your neighbours to create a mini “Halloween zone.” When a few houses join in, you can keep things contained, safe, and festive. Add a few decorations, music, or even a lolly station in the driveway. If not, you might decide on a code in your street where if a neighbour is participating in Halloween they have a pumpkin outside the house or any Halloween decorations. Homeowners that leave the outside light on are also most likely doing so for the trick or treaters.
Choosing an Appropriate Halloween Costume
Fun First, Safety and Comfort Always
- Most trick or treating happens at night, between the hours of 5 and 8 pm. However, it can still be hot during this time depending on where you live. Think about the heat of the day when selecting your child’s Halloween outfit as well as the distance that they will need to walk.
- Keep costumes bright or add reflectors. If your child insists on wearing black (because, let’s face it, it’s spooky), pop on a few reflective stickers or glow accessories so drivers can spot them easily.
- Check visibility. Masks can look awesome but make it hard to see cars or steps. Consider face paint instead — less tripping, more smiling.
- Mind the length. Long capes or dresses can easily tangle little feet. A quick hem or a safety pin fix can prevent falls mid-cackle.
- While your three-year-old princess may insist on wearing high heels as part of her Cinderella costume you can be sure that you will be carrying her in no time.
Road Rules
As mentioned above, trick or treating usually takes place at night, right about the same time that workers are heading home for the day.
What this means is that you can expect cars to be speeding down the streets, eager to finish their day and come home to their families.
Make sure you children are supervised and that they follow the road rules by walking on the footpath or as close to the neighbour’s yards as possible.
You can also organise with your mum friends and their kids so that the children can group together and stay together. It would be best to have teens in the group who will ask as their leader.
If your child is under 12, make sure an adult or older sibling goes along. Teens heading out with mates should have a curfew and a phone check-in plan.
Limit the Number of Houses
Your children may be eager to trick or treat all night long; however, you will most certainly get bored of door-knocking after you have done your street.
So set a route before you go so your children know when it’s time to head home. You may have a better chance of convincing them to head back by reminding them that they can hand out lollies to other trick or treaters at home, which is often just as exciting for little ones.
Always Check the Lollies
Do not allow your children to eat any lollies or chocolates that are not wrapped or have been opened, just in case. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Wait until you’re home. Encourage kids to wait before diving into their loot. Check treats for any signs of tampering or opened packaging.
Be allergy aware. If your child has food allergies, have a chat about what’s safe and what’s not before you head out. Bring your own stash. A few “safe” snacks from home can stop little ones from being tempted by the wrong treats.
It also might be a good idea to limit the number of lollies they have each day. For example, if your children bring home a stash of 30 chocolates each, limit the intake to one per day for the next month rather than letting them eat them all that first week. Explain to them that Halloween booty is meant to be enjoyed over a long period. Their daily sugar rush should run out just in time for Christmas!
For the Hosts: Make Your Home Safe Too
If you’re welcoming trick or treaters this year:
- Keep pathways clear of hoses, cords, or decorations that could trip little ghosts.
- Turn on outside lights to show you’re participating.
- Keep pets inside or securely away from the door (not everyone loves a jumpy Labrador, even in costume!).
Halloween Manners Matters
Halloween is also a great time to teach kids a bit of kindness and gratitude. Remind them to:
Say thank you for every treat.
Be patient with little ones who take longer to choose.
Only visit houses with decorations or lights on — not everyone celebrates, and that’s totally fine.
Go Trick and Treatin’ With Your Kids
If you or another adult can go trick and treat with kids, it’d be the best in ensuring safety. If you have the time and energy, then why not? It’s the perfect opportunity to bond with the kids and you can also dress up, too! How exciting! In case you can’t or don’t have anyone else to go with the kids to trick or treat, then a tracker is the best way to know their whereabouts.
Lastly, make sure the kids have water with them in case they’re thirsty.
Trick or treating should be full of laughter, lollies, and a little bit of spooky fun — not stress. A little planning goes a long way to keeping your little witches, wizards, and superheroes safe.
Halloween only comes once a year, so enjoy it! Snap some photos, make those sweet memories, and remember — safety first, treats second!
Very tasty, thankyou!