Your children are probably filled with excitement as they prepare for Halloween. From school parties and parades to local trick-or-treat events, your princesses and superheroes are ready to have fun. From the American Academy of Pediatrics, here is how to have a safe and happy Halloween.

Plan Ahead…

• Costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

• If a sword, cane or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

• Put a nametag with your phone number on your children’s costumes.

If you have Trick-Or-Treaters at your home…

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

• Have sugar-free options available for those children who may be diabetic.

• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

• Put out a teal-colored pumpkin or a poster of one in your window to let children with food allergies know that what you’re handing out is allergen-free (e.g., not food).

• Keep your front porch light on while open.

As you venture out with your children….

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.

When the night comes to an end…

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats.

• Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

• Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.

The Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board wishes you and your family a Safe and Happy Halloween.

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Carrie Kube is a Director for the Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board.