Halloween is a fun time for parents and children alike. It has been a holiday celebrated in many forms the world over, most involving ghosts and goblins along with fun and scary parties. Here in the US lots of candy and sweets are involved, certainly adding to the ritualistic enjoyment for one and all. However, before sending you kids out on the streets to round up their annual batch of goodies, here are some trick or treat tips to keep in mind.

Most trick or treating is done after dark. The dark brings out the “scary” factor for the costumes and the front yard entertainment many parents love to put on such as rising coffins from the ground, walking vampires and pre-recorded blood curdling screams for help. However, having your children walking around in the dark brings with it some safety issues.

Reflective strips on costumes can save a life and prevent accidents. If your children will be crossing streets or venturing through large expanses of open fields, these reflective strips serve as a beacon so they can be easily seen from afar. The strips can be applied with removable tape, they come in a variety of colors, and they won’t deter from the overall effects of the costume.

Bags to carry their candy have evolved greatly over the years. Whereas the older styles were nothing more than gleefully decorated paper shopping bags that resembled ordinary department store bags, the newer bags come in heavier materials. Some are even eco-friendly and are meant to be saved from year to year. Look for ones that actually have reflective decorations or blinking lights. Write your children’s names on their bags as well, to prevent confusion.

Having a parent or responsible teenager accompany smaller children is vital. No matter how safe you believe your neighborhood is, even private gated communities can present a host of problems for little ones running around without proper supervision. Something as simple as a loudly barking dog or even a talking animated character lurking on a front lawn can turn a fun holiday into a traumatic experience needlessly.

As we’ve known for decades, candy can pose its own problems. After hearing horror stories about apples with razor blades inside, and poisoned candy bars – some of which has turned out to be nothing more than urban legends – caution must still be top on our list before letting the kids dig in to their treasures.

Explain to your kids that it is forbidden to eat anything before coming home. Period. Wrapped candy, home made cookies, or even something in sealed packages can still pose problems, although these instances are certainly very rare. If you believe that temptation will get the greater of them, then it is highly suggested to have your children supervised every step of the way.

As parents who get ready for the big night, it’s always a good idea only to give out items that you would want your children to get. Something you are confident the other parents would find safe and let their children eat.

Author Bio: Online store for Canada’s best Costumes and Accessories for Kids. Teenagers and Adults.

Category: Culture
Keywords: Halloween Costumes, Costumes, Costume, Halloween Costumes Canada