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Before going trick or treating, go over the rules with your
children. Because it's an exciting night and emotions can
affect clear thinking and "remembering," go over them
several times.
Here's a website that lists some rules in kids' language:
http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/rules.html and has an
interactive "game" to reinforce understanding. Add rules as
fit your circumstances.
The rules should cover the following areas:
1. STRANGERS
If you were a pedophile, wouldn't Halloween night come to
mind as an opportunity? Describe to your child what a
"stranger" is. Caution them to avoid strangers, stick to the
agreed route, and not to go inside any houses. Discuss that
the "offer" may be enticing and must be ignored (see example
on website).
2. CARS
More children are killed by cars on Halloween night than any
other night of the year. Make sure their mask allows
visibility and their costume doesn't trip them. Review
"stop, look and listen" and "walk don't run". Remind them
that a parking lot has moving cars in it too, to stick to
sidewalks and, and to cross only at intersections - in a
group, not straggling.
3. SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Go with your child if he's young. Older children should
go in pairs or 3s.
4. REMEMBERING WHEN IT'S HARD TO
The rules are no good if your child forgets them. This is a
good time to go over Emotional Intelligence 101 - paying
attention and thinking even though there's emotional
distraction. Find examples the week before that can be
learning opportunities.
5. PEER PRESSURE
What you said holds, no matter what the other child wants to
do, or what they say their mother said was OK. (Good
practice for peers who do drugs.)
6. FOOD SAFETY
Your child must return all candy and food to you for
inspection before they eat it. Go over the "no matters" - no
matter how good it looks, no matter how hungry they get, no
matter if Billy says he's sure it's OK.
7. FIRE SAFETY
Those luminaria, lanterns and jack-o-lanterns with live
candles in them are a fire hazard (and can be very
enticing). Point out dangers. Flame retardant costumes are
of course advised.
8. MANNERS
This ranges from saying "thank you" for treats, to not going
to houses that don't have their lights on, to respecting the
property of others.
9. COSTUME SAFETY
They must be able to walk in their costume, and to see
through their headgear or mask. They should have a tote bag
that's manageable (think of the disruption if they have a
bag that tears). They should carry a flashlight and/or wear
lighted sneakers.
10. SAFETY SAFETY
And, last but not least, what should your child do if he
gets lost or in danger? Run away and scream if someone
follows them or tries to force them into a car. If lost, ask
a woman with a child for help. How to dial 911 at home and
on the cell phone. Go over what to do in different
scenarios.
For a comprehensive list of safety tips for a large range of
situations, go here http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/child
safety.html , the US National Library of Medicine.
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