By Lindsay Schwarte, Farm Bureau Financial Services: Halloween is an exciting time for kids and adults alike. From trick-or-treating for candy to the fun costumes, Halloween is that one night a year that everyone gets to enjoy together. However, along with all of the spooktacular fun comes a few potential safety issues that you should keep in mind.

Farm Bureau Financial Services suggests you use the helpful tips and tricks below to keep you and your loved ones safe this Halloween!

Potential Danger: Darkness
Trick-or-treating with your young ones or teens can be a challenge when the sun goes down.

Tip: An easy way to tackle the dark this Halloween is to incorporate reflectors on your kid’s costumes, add a glow-in-the-dark necklace, or attach reflective tape to their bag to not only help you better see them in the dark, but others as well. Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to also give your child or teen a flashlight to carry around with them for added visibility.

Potential Danger: Drivers

Amongst the candy and fun jokes taking place while trick-or-treating lurks a serious problem for your child or teen - drivers.

Tip: Depending on where you live or where you and your kiddos are traveling to trick-or-treat, watching out for motorists is crucial. Speaking to your kids beforehand about looking before crossing the street or an intersection is also an important rule for a safe Halloween.

Potential Danger: Child Getting Lost

It is not uncommon to lose sight of your young one or teen amongst the groups of ghosts and goblins wandering around on Halloween. Take extra precautions this year with this handy tip!
Tip: The trick-or-treating crowds can become overwhelming when out with your young one or teen. Discuss a specific route to follow if you were ever to become separated

Potential Danger: Strangers

As a parent, one of the most alarming things about trick-or-treating is the potential strangers your child may encounter along their route.

Tip: Talk to your child beforehand about not talking to or following strangers. Let them know to always stay with a group of people if they were to get separated from you and to never wander off alone.

Potential Danger: Cold Weather

Nothing beats beautiful October weather--unless freezing.. For your children and teens looking to trick-or-treat, the chilly temps could pose a serious problem.

Tip: The week prior to trick-or-treating, continue to check the weather to ensure you and your kids are aware of the forecast beforehand. If temps drop, make sure your child has additional layers underneath their costume. 

Potential Danger: Candy

The obvious highlight of trick-or-treating for parents and kids alike is the enormous amount of candy that is collected throughout the evening.

Tip: A great way to avoid the consumption of too much candy is to feed your trick-or-treater beforehand. If they do have a specific food allergy, such as peanuts, think about putting a sticker on their shirt stating their allergy for the individual handing out candy to help make certain treats easier to avoid.

Potential Danger: Injuries

From the darkness to the costume props, the likelihood of your child or teen getting injured could be higher than you may think while trick-or-treating if precautions aren’t taken.

Tip: When purchasing or making a costume for your kids it is important to make sure that it is the right size. By doing so you will hopefully be able to prevent potential trips and falls from happening throughout the evening. Now is also a good time to tell your child that that plastic sword is not for use on other trick-or-treaters.

Have a Safe and Spooktacular Halloween!

Keep your children and teens safe this Halloween by incorporating these helpful tips and tricks into the routine!  Have a safe and spooktacular Halloween!

Editor’s note: For more information on our member benefits including our regional benefits go to Arizona Farm Bureau’s member benefits page online. Or, download the Member Benefits app to your smart phone for easy, everyday access to your benefits.

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