Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be scary – 5 habits for a safe Halloween

Winnipeg, MB: As children across Canada get their costumes and treat bags ready, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Canadian Centre) is encouraging parents to include a safety plan in their family’s Halloween preparation. Personal safety discussions before a night of trick-or-treating can serve as great platform to help build children’s safety competence and confidence.

5 Habits for a Safe Halloween is an excellent resource for parents to practice their safety conversations with kids of all ages. These habits include making a trick-or-treat plan with your child, from the route they will be taking, to safe neighbours to turn to in case of emergency, staying connected to caregivers during the evening, and, of course, using the buddy system.

“Safety conversations with children need to be ongoing so they become habits kids use every day. Halloween is a great time to practice applying the safety skills they are learning,” said Noni Classen, Director of Education at the Canadian Centre.

5 Habits for a Safe Halloween has been adapted from the Canadian Centre’s Safety Habits for Life. Making personal safety part of ongoing discussions and providing opportunities to practice employing safety strategies will increase the likelihood that a child will use them if they encounter an unsafe situation. For more information and age-specific resources visit kidsintheknow.ca.