Last year for Halloween, the girls were a vampire and a vampire ladybug.
This year I’m not buying any new costumes so they have to make do with what we already have.
The oldest is trying to decide if she should be a plain ol’ vampire, a vampire angel, a vampire ghost, a zombie, or a werewolf (notice a theme here?).
The little one has a fairy costume that she thinks is Sleeping Beauty. I’m not going to argue. I have a feeling she will also incorporate vampire into her costume somehow.
My role in Halloween is to apply the makeup, spray the glitter hairspray and make sure they are safe when scaring the daylights out of anyone who dares cross their path.
How am I going to keep the kids safe while trick or treating you ask? Well, I’ll tell you.
Attend local events
Instead of going door to door on Halloween, see if your town/city has local events going on for safe trick or treating. I’ve seen them at malls, churches, shopping centers, etc. This year I’m taking my kids to the Outlets at Legends for their Safe Halloween Trick or Treating event which will have bounce houses and face painting (both of which my kids l.o.v.e.). If you are in the Reno/Sparks area this event is on 10/31 from 5-7pm. You should check it out.
Go in groups
If you are going to go door to door with the kids, have some other people go with you. Ask neighbors, friends, the kids’ friends, family, whoever else you know that might be willing to brave the chilly evenings for the sake of some candy. It’s safer to walk the streets with a group of people than it is with just you and the kids.
Be selective with houses
Don’t go knock on the door of every. single. house. you pass. Before going up to the door, make sure the house is well-light and that they have some Halloween decorations out (such as a carved pumpkin). If the house looks questionable for whatever reason, don’t go to the door. Move on to the next house.
Inspect all candy
My kids hate this part but I never let them eat any candy while we are out trick or treating. They have to dump out their bags when we get home and I inspect every piece of candy before they can have any. Suckers, tootsie rolls, and any other candy that can be easily opened and rewrapped are thrown away. Also, anything that has a rip, tear, or some other problem with the wrapper is in the do not eat pile. (Hint, hint…you can keep the Starbursts for yourself to use in this Starburst Infused Vodka).
No masks
This last tip might not make the kids happy but I think safety is more important than happiness so they just have to get over it (I’m such a mean mom). Anyway, masks should not be worn when trick or treating along the streets. Masks can obstruct vision which can lead to all sorts of badness (use your imagination here, you can do it).
One year, my nephew was wearing a mask and since he couldn’t see that well he hit the hitch of a boat nose first, thus ending his trick or treating for the evening. Needless to say there were a ton of tears and a massive headache.
So my friends, there you have it….my 5 tips on how to keep your little vampires safe this spooky holiday.
What will your kids be for Halloween this year and what will you do to ensure their safety?
Psst…on Tuesday, October 30th at 11am PST I will be on News4Forum talking about my safe trick or treating tips. If you are around your computer at that time, you can watch live by clicking on the link above.
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Twitter: bocafrau
says:
Check, check and check… Pretty much do the same things. And we are never, ever alone for Trick or Treat… always have tons of kids in our neighborhood. I wish, I had had these tips when I first started out. Not having had Halloween in Germany it was all new to me!
Susi recently posted..Picture Perfect Weekly #26 {A windy edition}
That’s good you are never alone trick or treating. It’s much safer to be with others.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
Great tips to ensure Halloween safety! We do all of them except go to the mall.
Glad to hear that, Bruna.
OMG masks are the worst. Also, freaky.
Alison recently posted..Be Kind
Yes, masks are pretty freaky.
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
Great tips! It’s so difficult to try and get kids to understand the importance of safety and it’s also sad knowing that there are people out there who cause the need for the safety rules.
I’m loving the creativity on the costumes!
Erin recently posted..DIY Dish Detergent w/o Borax
It is really sad that the world isn’t safe for kids anymore. I wish that was different.
Twitter: AccidentalDesig
says:
11:30 mountain time?
Great tips.
This house is the first one where we’ve had trick or treaters. We run about 80. I think most of them go by these rules. Our community has tons of safe trick or treat options.
My mom was a genius at the homemade costume. Other than a cigar for a hobo costume, I don’t think she spent a dime ever on the costume.
11:00-11:30 PST.
I need to start doing more homemade costumes. The store bought ones are so expensive.
I hate what my son picked out this year. He is going as Darth Maul?? from Star Wars. It has a mask that I was not thrilled about. But we head out to the country so we drive from house to house…I know…ridiculous…but he’ll be safe.
Great tips and congrats on the interveiw!!!!!
Kimberly recently posted..Blankets And Apologies
At least you will all be safe. Have fun on Halloween!
Twitter: babspinfrance
says:
Great tips – I agree masks are just dangerous.. We’ve already done Halloween and have moved straight into Christmas around here.
Barbara recently posted..From Sunshine to Rain Drops
I’m not ready for Christmas yet.
Vampires, huh? No wonder you decided to homeschool
Seriously? Good tips Jess, and good luck with your interview!
angela recently posted..Buck’s Landing Review
They are obsessed with vampires.
And thank you, Angela!
Good tips. My oldest is a vampire this year – and was last year. Great costumes!
Nicole recently posted..Book Review: Hooked on Hockey
My kids love vampires!
Oh crap, I’m rethinking my kids’ costumes now, the oldest 3 are wearing masks. And they are scary ones (my husband went down the costume aisle and let them pick out these costumes while I was getting the groceries. next year I’m helping pick out the costumes)
Great tips, Jess
P.S. Your girls make the cutest vampires ever!!!
Runnermom-jen recently posted..A Love Story…and pumpkins
Lessons learned. Hope everyone is safe and has fun this Halloween!
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
Whoa those vampire girls are scary
Great tips on staying safe!
Natalie recently posted..A Monkey and a Shark Walked into a Bar…
They are even scarier in person!
Twitter: krrobi
says:
Groovy Costumes! I Likeee!
My Inner Chick recently posted..Annie Lamott, Kenya, & My First Blogging Check
Thank you!
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I hate Halloween. Always have, and I always will. Im hoping with the hurricane lingering that halloween will be cancelled this year.
My kids have the same rules that you mentioned here. Safety first, always before happiness.
Kimberly recently posted..Essence Of Now: Weddings and Sunshine
Happiness really isn’t that important anyway.
Twitter: daddyrunsalot
says:
I remember HATING the candy inspection as a kid. H-A-T-I-N-G.
And now I want Starburst-infused vodka.
John recently posted..Where I think about life as a professional musician
I always hated it too. It seemed like it was a way for my parents to get all the candy they wanted first.
Twitter: gfunkified
says:
They are SO. CUTE. Great tips!
Greta recently posted..Great Expectations: The Robot Mommy
Thank you, Greta!
Twitter: TimeCrafted
says:
Scary and cute. Can’t beat that! I still go trick o’ treating with the kids. And then they hand their candy over in exchange for a new toy when we get home. Works out well for all of us! :>
Karen recently posted..YWP NaNoWriMo
That sounds like a good idea!
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
Such good tips, girl!
(And *such* cute kids!
)
Galit Breen recently posted..Running My First 5k
Thank you, Galit!
Great tips! Thanks, Jessica. And no matter what the girls decide to be tonight, I hope they have tons of fun.
Tonya recently posted..Halloween 2012
They did have a lot of fun. I hope Lucas did as well.