by Stephanie Manning

Created on: October 12, 2007

Halloween can be a very fun Holiday. Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous time for children. There are some things that you can do insure the safety of your children. By insuring your child's safety both you and your family will be able to enjoy Halloween the way it was meant to be. Here are some ways to insure your children will be safe:

1. When planning your Halloween events, plan times and activities that will reduce bad areas that have high crime rates.

2. Stay away from over populated areas.

3. High traffic will make it harder to locate your child if by some chance they get out of site.

4. When picking your child's costume, keep in mind that bright colors will be more noticeable in the dark. Making it easier for cars to see your child if they were to walk out to close to the road.

5. Using reflective tape or flashing lights will help cars see your child.

6. Make a list of rules before going out. Create a plan in case you get separated. Tell your child to walk up to an officer or go in to a store. What ever fits your plan.

Tell your child that no matter what do not talk to strangers and do not go any where with anyone unless they are an officer with a police car. (Keep in mind, there are officer costumes!)

Don't allow your child to eat any candy or treats until they get home and you have checked the bag. There are thousand of reports every Halloween from children being injured from eating candy that has been tainted.

Create an identification card just incase your child is separated. It can be something so simple as an index card with their name, your name, phone numbers and an address. This way if for some reason you get separated they can hand the piece of paper to an officer or another adult and get them to contact you. Have your child keep the card in their pocket and tell them to only use it if they are separated.

Don't allow you child to take any CD player, iPods, or any other valuable items that would make them a target to thieves. It only takes one crook to walk by and see an item on a small child and then run up and snatch it away.

We all know that if it Halloween there bound to be "Candy Snatchers" explain to your child ahead of time is someone comes up to take their bag to let them have it. This way preventing any possible altercations.

Explain to your child why it is important to stay up on the side walk and away from the streets. Remind them to look both ways before crossing the road.

If you are going to a Halloween festival, party, parade, or any other gathering. Make sure that your child is with in arm's reach at all time. This will help to detour kidnappers because they will see you close enough to the child that you could possibly see them. Also, in the event that they are taken you may be able to prevent it before it happens.

When checking the treats be sure to check them thoroughly. Throw out any thing that was not prepackaged from a manufacture. While baked goods and fruits are nice, they can be very dangerous! It is easier to taint those items then it is things that are prepackaged. Check each and every wrapper. If it even has the slightest tare- throw it out!

Remember these things while you are out Trick or Treating. It will help to insure that both you and your children have a safe and happy Halloween!

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