By Melissa Moog
Halloween is right around the corner and as we prepare our kids costumes, stock up on treats and attend all of the traditional events like going to the pumpkin patch or attending parties it’s very important to remember to keep our children safe while they trick or treat. Itsabelly not only cares about keeping children safe from dangers in the home by child proofing and decreasing toxic exposure but also wants to share important tips on how to keep children safe from predators. The Ten Things Parents Can Do To Make Halloween Safer written by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) below is a great reminder of the simple things you can do to keep your children out of harms way.
As I prepare for my five year old’s night of trick or treating I received these valuable tips from her school written by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) about how parents can keep their children safe. If you find this article helpful please forward or re-post the information where ever you see fit. Thank you!
Article Written by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
TEN THINGS PARENTS CAN DO TO MAKE HALLOWEEN SAFER
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, but sometimes the most hectic for parents. Nearly 94 percent of children between the ages of four and twelve participate in Halloween activities each year. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reminds parents to take a moment to consider basic safety precautions that will make Halloween a safer night of fun.
CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark. In addition, carry a glow stick or flashlight.
PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets. Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods, streets that are isolated, or homes that are poorly lit inside or outside.
NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should always travel in groups.
ALWAYS walk younger children to the door to receive treats and don’t let children enter a home unless you are with them.
BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
DISCUSS basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.
CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to “trick-or-treating.”
MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
TEACH children to say “NO!” or “this is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. And teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement.
“Child safety is important year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down,” said Nancy McBride, National Safety Director of NCMEC. “It is important that parents exercise a few basic safety precautions to help ensure that Halloween is both fun and safe.”
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children’s hotline which has handled more than 2.3 million calls. It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 128,750 children. The organization’s CyberTipline has handled more than 600,000 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 14,750,000 child pornography images and videos. The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s office of Juvenile of Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
