Trick-or-treating on Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for many children and families. However, beneath the creepy allure that is created for Halloween through scary house decorations and chilling costumes lies a real danger that comes with this cherished holiday.
An article from TIME states, “The most persistent Halloween bogeyman is tainted candy from strangers,” and this, unfortunately, couldn’t be further from the truth. One incident involving tampered candy took place in eastern Newfoundland, where a needle was found lodged inside a piece of licorice at a trunk-or-treat event.
To help prevent oneself from becoming a victim of similar circumstances, all trick-or-treaters and their parents must carefully inspect their candy before consuming it. A simple safety protocol anyone can follow is to eat the collected candy at home as opposed to eating it while trick-or-treating. This is because sharp objects and other changes in the appearance of the candy may not be as visible in the dark.
Furthermore, a danger more prominent than tampered candy is the risk of car accidents that happen on Halloween. According to a study by Safe Kids USA, children are more than twice as likely to be involved in a car crash while walking on Halloween night than at any other time of the year. This is due to how dark it is outside when trick-or-treating typically occurs and the fact that drivers may have difficulty seeing smaller children.
In order to keep this from happening, trick-or-treaters should follow pedestrian rules. Some of these rules include staying on the sidewalk as much as possible and only crossing the street at designated crosswalks. A good tip regarding this is to look both ways before one crosses, because even crossing at a green light does not mean one is protected from any cars that are making left or right turns.
Another safety measure to consider is staying in a group while trick-or-treating. Not only does this make people more visible to drivers, but it also ensures no one gets lost in the dark or wanders away — something that can easily happen amidst the excitement of crowds and costumes.
Overall, Halloween is a special occasion that only comes once a year, and those who celebrate it deserve to have an incredibly fun and pleasant experience! This can be achieved if the safety tips mentioned above are followed with care and attention. A little bit of precaution goes a long way to ensure a night full of treats — not tricks!
