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Doctor: Keep your kiddos safe on Halloween this year

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Trick-or-treating is right around the corner! Parents might be feeling safer about their children going door-to-door, but there are still plenty of precautions that they should keep in mind this Halloween.

Below are eight tips to make sure your child’s Halloween is full of treats and no tricks.

  • Make sure that an adult is with them at all times

No matter what age your child is, it’s always a good idea to make sure there is at least one adult in the group to be around in case they need to step in. If anything happens, the chaperone can notify the other parents.

  • Keep an eye out for cars and walk on the sidewalk as much as possible

Teach your kids to look both ways before crossing. For younger children, make sure to hold their hands as they walk across the street to prevent them from running in front of a car. Cross at crosswalks and corners when possible so drivers can see everyone. Stay on the sidewalks when you can, so everyone can be safely out of the road.

Also, keep your eyes up in general! Do not look down at your electronic device when walking. Make sure you are not distracted and can keep your attention on your clan of kids. When crossing streets and walking, please watch your children.

  • Bring a flashlight and plenty of water

As we enter the fall months, it is getting darker quicker, so it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight — even if you are trick-or-treating during earlier hours. Have your kids bring water bottles, because running from door to door is a workout. If you are bringing a wagon, keep a gallon jug to fill up everyone’s bottle when they run out.

  • Have your children wear proper shoes for walking

Make everyone wear tennis shoes. Your kids will be getting a lot of steps in, and tennis shoes will keep their feet safe and comfortable.

  • Throw away any candy that has been opened and check for allergens

Review your kid’s candy before they start digging in to make sure that you throw away any candy that looks like it has been tampered with. Exposed candy can carry germs, so it is better off in the trash. Also, while checking candy, look for allergens. Candies may contain nuts or other allergens.

  • Bring hand sanitizer and wash your kids’ hands once they return home

Bring hand sanitizer with you in case your kids need to sanitize their hands after touching a surface. Once you return home, make sure that your kids wash their hands thoroughly before they start eating their candy.

  • Wear masks while trick-or-treating, which can make this a fun part of their costume

Help prevent your child from getting sick as they go door-to-door by having them wear a face mask. You can make this part of their costume like a Spider-man mask, power ranger or skeleton face mask.

  • Do not enter anyone’s home unless they are family or known to you

Set rules with your kids to not enter anyone’s home. Keep an eye out and make sure that your kids stay outside the home when they go up for their treats. Avoid houses that have the inside of the home a part of a “haunted house.”

It’s never a good idea to walk into a stranger’s home, so maintain this rule on Halloween!

Stay safe this Halloween with your little ones!

Editor's note: Dr. Shivana Naidoo is a child psychiatrist at the Arizona’s Children Association. Visit www.arizonaschildren.org.