THE American tradition of celebrating Halloween has firmly established itself in many South African neighbourhoods. On Saturday, 31 October, children will head out onto the streets for what should be a fun night of trick-or-treating.
Halloween can be an exciting time for kids. These safety tips for parents, children and homeowners will help keep everyone safe and happy this Halloween.
“We caution everyone to ensure they keep their families and homes safe, whether they are out collecting candy or just staying at home,” said ADT’s district manager for KwaZulu-Natal, Ivan Govender.
Safety tips for outside the house
1. Light up the night: Make your children easily visible with flashlights or glow sticks. Some restaurants and fast food places even give away transparent bags for candy that include a glow stick you can put inside the bag. This limits the amount of things your child has to carry, but allows you to easily view them.
2. Always ensure children are accompanied by an adult or older sibling: Set a time limit for your children to trick-or-treat. Designate a specific route for them to take. It is advisable to never allow young children to trick-or-treat on their own. Always ensure they are accompanied by an older sibling or adult. Be alert for any speeding cars in the suburb.
3. Never allow children to enter a stranger’s house: There is no kind of candy that is worth a security risk so do not allow your children to enter a stranger’s home, no matter how appealing the offer or Halloween display.
4. Watch what your children eat: Rather be cautious and do not allow your children to accept homemade or unwrapped treats.
5. Host your own Halloween party: If you want to be able to keep your home and children safe at the same time, consider having your own Halloween party. This will allow you to choose what your children get for Halloween and who they are mixing with.
