Halloween - Trick or Treat - Safety

Hi everyone! With Team Black Belt closed this week, I thought I’d share my “Be Safe at Halloween” Mat Chat. Feel free to use these tips to ensure your Halloween is both fun and safe.

Stranger Danger

When was the last time you sent your children to knock on the doors of strangers? I’m guessing never. Normally, we teach our kids to be cautious around strangers, not to talk to them, and certainly not to visit their homes. But on Halloween, we let them do just that! They go Trick or Treating, collecting sweets from strangers—many of whom are in disguise.

While Trick or Treating is a lot of fun for kids, it’s important to set some safety guidelines. Here are some tips to help make the experience positive and safe:

With an Adult

Firstly, ensure your children are accompanied by a trusted adult—not an older sibling, but a responsible grown-up. Older kids can get caught up in the excitement and may not always make the safest decisions. A real adult presence is crucial.

In a Group

Make sure your children always Trick or Treat in a group. It’s not safe to go alone, even if they start on the way home from school. Remind them to stick together.

Be Seen

Road safety is a major concern during Halloween. Kids can be distracted by decorated houses and lanterns. As the clocks go back, it gets dark earlier, and many costumes are black, making kids hard to see. Ensure your child has some form of illumination, like reflectors or a torch.

Plan the Route

Help your children plan a safe route. Walking up one side of the street and back down the other is a good idea to avoid crisscrossing the road. If you can plan their route, you’ll know where they are, even if you’re not with them.

Respect Others

Teach your children to respect households that don’t want to participate in Trick or Treating. Look for signs like lanterns and pumpkins to know where they’re welcome. Some people, especially older individuals, might find unexpected visitors at night frightening. If a house isn’t decorated, move on without any tricks.

Sweets

Encourage your children not to eat sweets on the go. Collect and sort them at home in good lighting. Only eat properly wrapped treats, as not all adults play nicely.

Outside Only

Remind them that Trick or Treating is an outdoor activity. They should never go inside a stranger’s house, no matter what is said.

Fire

With so many pumpkins and open flames, there’s a real danger of costumes catching fire. Remind your kids never to touch pumpkins with candles inside and to be cautious around open flames.

I’m confident you and your children will have a fantastic Halloween. Please keep these tips in mind to ensure it’s a safe one.

Wishing you a fun and safe Halloween!

Sensei Mike