Better With Age: Halloween Safety For Seniors

By Kaitlin Irwin

Halloween is fast approaching and it doesn’t have to be a time just for kids. If you plan on participating in the fun, here are some quick tips to make sure you stay safe and enjoy the spooks!

Give out candy safely. Kids may have their favorite treats, but when giving out goodies you want to make sure that the candy is completely wrapped and unopened. Keep the porch lights on, even if you run out of candy. This way you’ll be able to see who’s outside and avoid any menacing swarms of kids or teenagers.

Set up for success. If you plan on handing out candy to this year’s trick-or-treaters, you’ll want to be prepared for all that foot traffic. Make sure the outside area of your home is well-lit and that stairs and walkways are clear and easy to see. The last thing you want is for a child - or yourself - to trip and fall. Keep the porch light on and try some strategically placed string lights that will help guide people from the sidewalk to your front door. That being said…

Keep trick-or-treaters outside. You might have a spectacular Halloween display in your living room, but welcoming youngsters into your home is a no-go if you want to stay safe. Instead, keep your candy close by in a bowl or box so that you can easily and swiftly hand out the treats to kids. Parents will likely be shuffling their children from house to house, and seeing their little one enter a stranger’s home may alert them. Plus, keeping kids out of your home also ensures your own safety.

Recruit help. An older grandchild or a neighbor should be more than willing to help you hand out candy or decorate for the big night. It’s also lots of fun to spend the evening watching Halloween specials, playing creepy music and looking at all of the creative and silly costumes the trick-or-treaters are wearing! Moreover, having someone else by your side can help you feel more confident and secure on Halloween night.

Communication is key! Be sure to let your neighbors know your plans for Halloween. Let them know what time you plan on turning in and ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious during the eventful evening. You might not want to participate in the festivities at all, and that’s just fine. Let your neighbors know and they can help usher kids away from your home and onto the next one.

Keep these tips in mind to have a Halloween that’s so stress-free it’s scary!