Halloween is just around the corner and I can't wait to share our family costumes with you this year! Since both of our kids are mobile and VERY excited about trick-or-treating this year, we made up some family rules for Halloween safety. I've partnered with Step2 to share these Halloween safety tips for kids, and I've got a giveaway for you, too!
Halloween Safety for Kids
Young children should have an adult chaperone.
Our kids are two and five so they know we'll be tagging along with them while they trick-or-treat for years to come! It's important for young kids to have an adult chaperone to monitor them going up to houses and while they're between houses, too.
Only visit houses with lights on.
This is something to learn early on as a child. People who want to have trick-or-treaters visit on Halloween will usually leave a porch light on or have the area illuminated. Remind kids to avoid houses and areas that are dark.
Stay in groups.
This isn't always possible, but it's good to at least stay with a buddy. We trick-or-treat as a family, but as the kids get older I'm sure they'll want to go with friends too. Make sure to keep count of kids in the group or employ a buddy system so everyone is accounted for at each stop.
Watch for cars.
I don't know about your kids, but ours get super excited on Halloween night and forget about sidewalks and street safety! It's important to remind them to stay on sidewalks or to hold hands with an adult while traveling through neighborhoods. On that same note, as parents it's so important for us to slow down and watch for kids on the roads.
In our neighborhood, people tend to drive way too fast. The city installed a new stop sign at the end of our block and people blow through it all the time which drives me crazy. Step2 just came out with the perfect reminder that we've got out by our street now. The Step2 KidAlert Ghost is the perfect thing to go along with your Halloween decorations! Plus, it's a good way to let people know they need to slow down and watch out for kids.
Step2 KidAlert Ghost
Of course we teach our kids to stay in the yard, but accidents happen. Occasionally we'll lose a ball on the street and our two year old will run out without thinking. Or, our daughter will forget how to brake on her bike and will roll into the street before realizing she can stop. With the KidAlert Ghost I know people are aware there are kids in the neighborhood and that they should be on the lookout.
My favorite feature of this little ghost is the light that makes it glow (and boy, does it glow!). Perfect for Halloween or those nights where the sun sets early (which starts happening far too soon in Minnesota), the light glows brightly to alert cars to slow down. You'll need three AA batteries (not included) for the light.
The light-reflecting stickers are a big plus, too. I'm always amazed how well the reflective stickers shine with the glare of headlights. You'll want to fill the base of your KidAlert Ghost with sand to keep it in place on your driveway or sidewalk.
As you head out for trick-or-treating this year, remind your kids of our Halloween safety tips to keep them aware of their surroundings. Plus, you can help remind your neighbors to keep the area safe with your KidAlert Ghost!
Where to Buy the KidAlert Ghost
BUY IT: You can purchase the KidAlert Ghost from Step2's website.
WIN IT: Our friends at Step2 are generously offering one lucky reader their own KidAlert Ghost! Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.
Open to the US only, ages 18 and up. Ends 9/14/18 at 11:59 PM EST.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received the KidAlert Ghost at no cost to facilitate an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector. Winner will be notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Void where prohibited.
Brittany Daily says
I think all parents should know these tips. Too many kids these days out by themselves. They want to go to as many houses as possible and sometimes go to houses without lights on. I absolutely love the ghost to alert drivers!
Mia Rose says
Super suggestions for talking to kids about the rules before going out. It is such an exciting time that it becomes so easy for them to forget safety.
Nancy says
These are good rules to review with kids. It is surprising how many kids do not know the "lights on" Halloween guideline. We saw lots of kids go up to an unlit neighbor's house last year.
Maureen says
I am super aware of having my nephews and nieces be aware of their surroundings. My sister and or her husband and or my husband and I take them so there is an adult.
Marilyn Nawara says
All very good tips -- would add to never eat any candy until it's been checked over by an adult.
Amanda Alvarado says
My daughter is old enough (and scared enough) of the road that she won't go out into it without checking several times to retrieve a toy or cross the street. She is 10. There are times she will even get mad at me or daddy when she thinks we are crossing without looking! I love those glow sticks to take along while trick or treating and she loves them!
Sharon Bowlby says
Glow sticks or light up tape!
Jessi Housel says
It can be hard to trick or treat these days, great tips. The lights on and watching for cars is a huge one, so easy to miss things in the dark. Trick or treat can be fun if done safely. Adult supervision is a must at all ages to keep everyone safe.