From ghouls and goblins to “High School Musical” and “Harry Potter” characters, children are gearing up for their time of year.
For a child, almost nothing can be more fun than dressing up in fancy, scary or down-right funny costumes, watching scary movies and heading out for a fun-filled night bringing back a full bag of sweet, sugary treats.
And while parents are worrying about the increased hyperactivity of their kids after all that sugar and excitement, they are also planning — and worrying — how they can have the safest fun possible.
Every October parents hear news of poisoned candy or how to safeguard their children from harm when trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. For LGBT parents — like all parents — the concerns are valid.
Jamie Lamkin, whose seven-year-old daughter will be dressing up as Scooby Doo this year, says safety is a must.
“Many people, LGBT families included, descend upon West Club Blvd. in Durham. It’s the place in Durham to trick or treat. It’s fun and safe, too,” Lamkin says. “Another option this year is a neighborhood in Hillsborough that closes it’s streets to cars and blocks the road. Kids are safe and parents minds are put to rest. Our family feels there are many safe options for tricking and treating in our town!”
But it isn’t all worrying for Lamkin; she’ll also be having fun playing her daughter’s sidekick as Shaggy, with Scooby Snacks and all.
Liz and Chris of Clayton, N.C., who have one preschooler and a teen in high school, say their concerns for safety definitely focus on the older of their two kids.
“For our teenager it is a main concern that he is in a group and he will keep his cell phone on at all times,” they say, “He is given specific areas that he may go to and we know who he will be with. We are very clear and convey to him that defacing anyone’s property is not tolerated.”
For years, rowdy teenagers have been accused of vandalism or other wild behavior during All Hallows’ Eve.
While Liz and Chris’ teen will probably forego a costume this year, the preschooler will be dancing it out as Ballerina Barbie.
WWW.Frugal.com, a sure-fire way of avoiding trick-or-treating mishaps is in planning your own Halloween party or gathering.
“The best way parents and children can avoid trick-or-treating troubles entirely is by organizing a Halloween costume party with treats, games, contests, music, scary stories, and much more,” Wallmuller writes, “Make your Halloween party the place to be!”
He adds, “Schools, fire stations, libraries, even malls in many communities organize ‘haunted houses’ and ancillary festivities for families.”
Wallmuller also suggests enlisting the aid of older youth and college students.
“Involve students from a nearby college or university to be ‘goblin’s helpers.’ These pupils can help trick-or-treaters span busy streets and watch out for devilish situations,” he says.
While parents will be worrying about the horrifying details of being super safe, kids are more than sure to spend most of their time obsessing over what they are going to wear and how they are going to look to all their friends.
According to Amy Morris of Morris Costumes in Charlotte, the most popular costumes for kids are those almost any parent could easily guess.
“For girls, number one is definitely Hannah Montana,” Morris says, “It is about being pretty.”
Played by Miley Cyrus (yes, the daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus), Hannah Montana is the character from the Disney Channel hit show of the same name.
Morris says her business is also selling quite a bit of girls’ pirates and gypsy costumes.
“For the boys, the biggest things are pirates. Spiderman, the Fantastic Four and, of course, Harry Potter are strong, as well,” she says.
Once kids get in the store, however, Morris says they go wild with all the possibilities lined up on the shelves.
“I think the children this year are braver, too. We don’t have as many kids saying no to checking out our scarier costumes in the back,” she adds.
Other good safety tips for parents to consider this Halloween:
1. The Buddy System: Don’t let you child trick-or-treat alone. Go with them yourself or have them go with a much older sibling and other friends.
2. For increased visibility in the dark of night and to avoid run-ins with vehicles, place pieces of reflective tape on the back and front of your child’s costume. Flashlights are also useful — not only for protecting your child from the evils of the spooky darkness around them — but also for increasing their visibility for drivers.
3. Always check your child’s candy and other treats before they consume them.
4. Orient your child to their surroundings. Before heading out to trick-or-treating pleasures, be sure they know where “home” is located in the neighborhood. Quiz them on whether they know their home phone number.
5. Lay down strict ground-rules: For younger children be sure they know to never talk to strangers who may approach them on the street. For you or those accompanying them during trick-or-treating, allow your child to approach only houses with lights on a front porch or near the door. Never let your child enter a stranger’s home. Be sure they know basic safety rules regarding how and where to cross a street and which side of the street is safest to walk on. For teens and adolescents who may be heading out with their friends, be sure to lay down clear guidelines and expectations of behavior, especially as it regards drinking or drugs, driving late at night or a curfew.
6. Because Carolinas weather this time of year is so freakishly spooky in and of itself, pay close attention to the weather and make sure costumes (or clothing worn under them) are climate appropriate. |
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