15 Halloween Safety Tips For Foster Kids and Teens

Halloween can be scary, in more ways than one! Naturally, you want your foster children to have a fun night, but as a parent, it’s also your job to keep them safe. October 31st is lurking around the corner, and just like pulling together the perfect last-minute costume, it’s never too late to put a plan in place. Here are some Halloween safety tips for kids of all ages!  

• Bring flashlights and glow sticks, and place reflective tape on clothing to help drivers see trick-or-treaters in the dark.
• Encourage kids to stick to the sidewalk if possible. Make sure little ones know to look both ways and hold hands when crossing the street.
• Wear comfortable shoes when going from house to house. Make sure sneaker laces are tightly tied and Mary Jane buckles are properly secured.
• Choose a comfortable costume that is easy to move around in, especially if your child has sensory challenges or other special needs. Long capes and dresses can be a tripping hazard for kids, so shorten costumes if necessary.
• Avoid costumes with masks that are difficult to see out of. If you are unsure, try on the mask yourself to see if your child’s peripheral vision will be obstructed.
• October weather can be unpredictable. Check the forcast to make sure kids will be dressed appropriately, and bring along an extra sweater and some gloves in case it gets chilly later. 
• If your child is nervous about what to expect, do a daytime test run before Halloween to familiarize your child with the route you will be taking.
• If your child scares easily, head out to trick-or-treat early or try a trunk-or-treat event just for kids. Make sure they understand that spooky costumes and decor are not real and are just part of the fun.
• Tell children it is unsafe to eat any candy before you check it, and of course, make sure you follow through in a timely manner! 

Tips For Teens:

• Many teenagers still like to celebrate Halloween, but according to Parents, some towns have age-limit laws for trick-or-treating. If that’s the case, stock up on their favorite candy and plan something special to do instead, like catching a scary (or not-so-scary) movie.
• If your teen will be trick-or-treating alone with friends, know who they will be with, and discuss where they can and cannot go.
• Coordinate with your teen to use a free mobile app like Find My Friends or an AirTag to track their whereabouts if necessary.
• If they are planning to attend a friend’s Halloween party, be sure to communicate with the parents to ensure it will be chaperoned.
• Discuss the consequences of drinking, vandalism, and other illegal acts of mischief. 
• Set a curfew and times to call and check in with you throughout the evening.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

If you live in the state of Illinois and want to become a foster parent, we invite you to visit our website for more information, or click on the following link to get started: https://family.binti.com/users/signup/camelot-il-initial

Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency.