Halloween is coming! Whether you take your preschoolers trick-or-treating or not, everyone gets excited when spooky decorations and pumpkin-flavored everything start showing up in stores everywhere. As with any holiday, however, Halloween requires some forethought on a parents’ part. How much will the kids get to participate? What’s the best way to handle this holiday for small children?

Halloween Safety for Preschoolers

By and large, Halloween is a safe holiday for kids of all ages. However, that doesn’t mean you as the parent can completely employ a hands-off approach with your preschoolers. Keep a few important safety tricks in mind as you celebrate the spookiest time of year:

1. Plan safe costumes and decorations
2. Plan the route
3. Navigate the neighborhood safely
4. Check all candy

1) Plan Safe Costumes & Decorations

As you plan your kids’ Halloween costumes and decorations for the house, make choices that are best for their safety and comfort. Opt for brightly colored or even reflective costumes so everyone is more visible in the dark. If your child’s costume involves a mask, try to find a version that obscures their eyesight as little as possible or simply opt for face paint instead. Make sure their costumes won’t pose a tripping hazard or get caught on any decorations. And in case of emergency, give your child a tag or bracelet with your name and contact information in case you get separated.

Pay attention to your decorations too! Avoid anything that could pose a tripping hazard or otherwise endanger young trick-or-treaters. Any decorations that involve flames, like jack-o-lanterns, should be supervised at all times.

2) Plan the Route

Stick to safe neighborhoods as you go trick-or-treating. Before nightfall, plan the route with your children and make sure they understand the plan. It’s better to walk a slightly shorter route than to put yourself in a potentially unsafe neighborhood after dark.

3) Navigate the Neighborhood Safely

Once you’re walking the route, use a flashlight to help others see you and help you see the path. Above all, observe the typical rules of crossing or walking near roadways. The fact that it’s Halloween night doesn’t mean that the rules of driving change. Some drivers may move slower and be more attentive to trick-or-treaters, but that doesn’t mean they all will.

4) Check All Candy

While the risk of your children receiving contaminated candy is very low, it never hurts to be cautious. When your kids bring home their Halloween hauls, check their candy and safely dispose of anything that’s expired, opened, or homemade. Even harmless-looking homemade treats may not have been prepared or stored properly and could make your children sick. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Pro Tip: While there have been no documented cases of poisoned Halloween candy handed out door-to-door, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Check your child’s candy before they eat it.

Happy Halloween!

Plenty of us have fond memories of Halloween experiences or trick-or-treating as children. What we probably remember less is how much time our parents spent making sure our holiday was safe as well as fun. Providing a safe Halloween for your kids will take some work, but is sure to result in just as many fun, happy memories as you have.

What was your favorite part of Halloween growing up? Join the conversation to contribute your own memories and see how other parents celebrate with their kids now!