Halloween is a fun time for children to dress-up in their favorite costume and parade around the neighborhood getting treats from everyone they visit. For parents, it can also be a time to take extra precautions. Here are some tips from The Learning Tree preschool and child care center staff and parents as reminders of safety during Halloween fun:

• Never let your child go trick-or-treating unattended
• Walk up to the door with your child
• Never let your child run off to the next house in front of you
• Always check Megan’s Law before going trick-or-treating in any neighborhood
• Make sure to check your child’s candy before allowing them to eat it. It helps to go through the candy with your child and explain to them why some things are not safe to eat. Candy with wrappers that are slightly open should be thrown away. Anything homemade or in Ziploc bags should not be eaten.
• If your child has food allergies, know what candy brands before allowing your child to eat them. For peanut allergies, some brands say they are nut free but may have been manufactured in a facility that also contains peanuts/tree nuts. Doing a Google search on brand safety is quick, easy, and could prevent allergic reactions.
• Keep your child’s trick-or-treat goodies in a secure location like a tall cabinet to ensure they are not eating goodies without your knowledge or consent.

Although these are some ideas to help keep your children safe this holiday, they are more of a reminder to remember basic safety rules. Keep in mind that Halloween is a fun time for children to dress-up and pretend. Always have fun with your children while maintaining basic safety guidelines. We hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween with your preschooler!