Halloween is almost upon us and whether or not to take your child trick or treating is often a hot topic among parents. Should you go out and knock on strangers’ doors for sweets or stay home and hope the party comes to you?
If done sensibly and with consideration, trick or treating can be a fun experience for all involved. We certainly know of decorated homes with fun-loving owners who don fancy dress and look forward to greeting a rabble of mini monsters.
But we know some parents are torn so we’re here to help with etiquette to follow for a happily spooky time;
Stay safe: Ensure that children are accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Stick together: Try to stay in well-lit areas where there’s plenty of houses and don’t travel down roads or into areas you don’t know.
Be bright: Where possible, wear bright colours/reflective and always carry torches with you. Alliance has a stock of Halloween reflective snap bands and stickers.
Be aware of the time: As the dark draws in quickly in the autumn, try not to be out later than 9pm. Not only will it be very dark, but some people may not appreciate a knock on the door at that hour.
Respect the sign: Some people, particularly if vulnerable or elderly members of our community, might find it distressing to have strangers knocking on their door after dark. Only go to clearly decorated houses and always respect any ‘no trick or treaters’ signs.
Staying home and hoping for trick or treaters?
If you’re happy for ghosts and ghouls to visit your home; try to remove any trip hazards, pop on an outside light or place a jack o lantern outside to let them know you’re happy to receive visitors.
Ensure that any naked flames and lanterns are far away from your doorstep and any potential trick or treaters (and their clothing).
Be mindful that each child coming to your door is unique and some may have additional needs. It may be that they take longer to approach your house, or they may have removed items of their costume by the time they reach you. They may not make eye contact, or they may be nonverbal. Please be patient.
When you run out of treats, turn off your outdoor lights and extinguish your jack o lantern so that people know you’re no longer accepting trick or treaters.
What are coloured buckets for?
Teal trick or treat buckets signify a child with a food allergy. They may have a peanut allergy, dairy intolerance or another allergy they’re sensitive to meaning they’d prefer a different sort of ‘treat’ such as stickers or glow sticks. There are lots of local retailers selling cheap Halloween items that could be used in these circumstances.
Blue buckets have become the unofficial of awareness for autism and could mean that the person holding it is autistic. It may be that they take longer to approach your house, or they may have removed items of their costume by the time they reach you. They may not make eye contact, or they may be nonverbal. They might also take a little longer choosing the perfect treat. Please be patient.
Above all else, and by far the most important, have fun however you choose to celebrate this year’s night of terror.