In This Article

• 1. Protect children from situations beyond their abilities.
• 2. Prepare your kids for situations before they are expected to deal with them.
• 3. Observe and talk about any situations you encounter when you're out trick-or-treating.
• 4. Prepare, don't scare, your kids
• 5. When it comes to costumes:

Halloween Safety

• Discuss Halloween safety tips with all of your children, no matter what age they are.
• Empower your kids by teaching them exactly what to do instead of warning them about what could happen if they disobey. (Fear disables kids and prevents them from thinking on their feet.)
• When you're out trick-or-treating, only visit well-lit homes and stay on porches rather than entering people's homes.
• If they're out with other kids, attach their names and addresses inside their costumes.
• To prevent falls and other injuries, make sure your child's costume fits properly and is no longer than her ankles. Use makeup or face paint as opposed to masks that might block her vision.