1. Always go out with a responsible adult
Always go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult or guardian, this could also be an older brother or sister provided they are over 16 years of age.
2. Plan your route.
Risks can be reduced in a number of ways, for example keeping activities such as pumpkin carving, decoration, baking and virtual costume parties at your own home. Easter-style egg hunts could be a great idea for the garden, just swap out fluffy bunnies and chocolate eggs for slime, eyeballs and spiders! But heading out and scouring your local area for treats is always exciting, so before you go, always plan your route and let others know the route you intend to take. Wear reflective or light-coloured clothing to ensure you can be seen.
3. Follow the rules of the road
The afternoons are much shorter this time of year, and trick-or-treating often coincides with rush-hour evening traffic. Always follow the rules of the road, use roadside pavements and avoid routes that require crossing the road. If it is necessary to cross the road, always use dedicated crossing points to do so safely. Drivers, be aware and slow down.
4. Carry a torch
Always carry a torch to help others see you, and to help you see where you are walking and avoid trips and accidents. This time of year, even street lamp-lit streets can have uneven ground and other obstacles so lighting your path will help –
if you need a torch, we can help you with that!
5. Never enter a stranger’s home
Never enter a stranger’s home and where possible, only visit the homes of friends and people you know.
6. Establish ground rules
Children should not be digging and rummaging around the sweet bowl. One or two sweets should be selected and taken avoiding any that are open or unwrapped.
7. Sanitise, sanitise, sanitise!
Between homes, always give the children a squirt of hand gel. At this time of year, there are plenty of bugs and flu whizzing around! They may be able to cast magical spells of shielding and banish enemies to the upside down, but there’s nothing more protective than squeaky clean hands and fingers.
8. Respect others
With all this fun to be had, we need to keep in mind that Halloween is a very sensitive time for some people and we appreciate that not everyone wishes to get involved or celebrate, especially the elderly or vulnerable. Always practice social distancing, and if there is ever any doubt, never put yourselves or others at risk.
