Fall is upon us once again! For some, that means the weather has begun to cool, and it’s time to break out the flannel shirts and beanies. For others, like myself, it means we must endure a few more weeks of summer-like heat before we can even think of donning long pants. 

Regardless, the changing leaves mean one thing to the kids in our lives, Halloween is just around the corner! It’s the second most wonderful time of the year, behind Christmas. But, let’s hold off on discussing it for another few weeks; I’m looking at you Big Box stores!

If your child is anything like mine, they have already made declarations about what they want to be for Halloween. But, while rushing around to get everything for their special spooky day, I can almost guarantee they have forgotten all about safety. That’s ok, though; Mads’ Dad Blog is here to help with 5 Halloween Safety Tips!

Enter if you Dare

Avoiding poorly lit areas is an excellent rule to follow all year round, but it is especially true on Halloween. Steer clear of streets that have little or no exterior illumination. It’s easy to get separated from your little goblins in the dark. Besides, those streets probably give out lame treats like raisins or fruit. You should also skip the houses with lights off; they are probably too spooky anyway.

Fit for Fun

Choose well-fitting costumes and masks for your supernatural adventures. Nothing ruins fun faster than a slip, trip, or fall. Loose-fitting or obstructive clothing makes it easy to take a spooky spill. Restrictive masks may also make spotting obstacles difficult. Keep your little pumpkins safe by ensuring they can see 210 degrees in front of them.

Lumos Maxima

As the days creep further and further into fall, the daylight hours get shorter and shorter. You may come home in the dark even if you venture out early. Be sure to provide your tiny terrors with plenty of extra lumens to keep them safe. Glow sticks are a popular option that goes perfectly with any costume. Adding a reflective wristband or another piece of material to their outfit makes your child more visible to you and cars on the road. Don’t forget your flashlight, just be sure to keep them pointed at the ground; you don’t want to blind any of your neighbors accidentally. 

Check Your Haul

As tempting as it is to dig into that big ol’ bag of sweets as soon as your child hits the hay, stop for a moment to check over their goodies. I’m sure all your neighbors have good intentions, but that doesn’t mean a piece of candy or two didn’t accidentally come unwrapped from the store. Besides that, you want to ensure you don’t accidentally bite into something gooey and melted that somehow made its way into your, I mean your kiddo’s, bag from last year. 

Plan a Route

Plan a route and have a place to meet up just in case you get separated. In the age of cell phones, it’s easy to stay connected with your children, but you should also make sure everyone knows exactly where you’re going, how to get there, and what to do if someone gets lost. 

What are some other ways to keep your mini-zombies safe?