Have important conversations about safety with your children this Halloween

Halloween celebrations can be a great opportunity to talk to your children about safety and consideration for others.

We know that Halloween can be a busy time for parents, you’re planning their outfits, decorating the house, and trying to work out how many small chocolate bars you might need. We want to help take some of the stress out with the following advice:

• Make sure they know to stay in a group and/or with their parent or carer.
• Always use batteries instead of candles in lanterns as this is much safer.
• Remind them of road safety whilst they’re out and about.

Ideally, children should be accompanied by an adult, however if your child is older and going out with their friends, without a parent/carer, then share the following tips with them:

• Don’t accept sweets that are unwrapped.
• Don’t go into a stranger’s house.
• Make sure they let you know the route they are taking and what time they expect to be home.
• Make sure they know your phone number in case they need to contact you/ensure it’s saved in their phone.
• Get them to charge their phone before they leave the house.
• Note that damaging people’s property or being a nuisance is an offence.
• Remind them to look out for the no trick or treat signs and avoid these houses.

Also make sure that your children know what to do if they're uncomfortable with a situation, or if they notice the behaviour of their friends or others is having a negative effect on local communities and residents.

We've put together further information on keeping safe and thinking of others this Halloween and Bonfire Night on our website.

Looking for something to entertain your young witches and warlocks this Halloween? Our Youth Engagement Officer has created a special wordsearch, download it below.