For many children (and adults!) Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year!  But trick-or-treating can be dangerous if kids and parents aren’t careful… We want all of our readers to be safe this Halloween, so the folks here at Growing Up in the Valley wanted to remind you of some important trick-or-treating tips before you take the kiddos out for Halloween fun!

1. Plan a route in advance – Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house,which can cause sore legs and a bit of frustration. Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.
2. Wear comfy shoes – Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Girls in dresses should avoid heels, and all shoelaces should be double-tied to avoid tripping in the dark. This goes for mom and dad, too! Make sure your shoes are comfortable so your feet don’t give out while thekids are scoring lots of candy!
3. Be seen! – Apply reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road. Also, carry a flashlight with you to keep your child’s path lit at all times. Maybe jazz up your costume with some glow in the dark sticks from the Dollar Store to help you stand out!
4. Make sure your costumes aren’t too long – Sure, the princess dress on little Sally is cute … and the clown outfit on Johnny makes a great picture. But, we don’t want them tripping all over the place (especially as they go up and down steps to ring the doorbell). Long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous, especially at night. After purchasing your child’s costume, make sure it’s an appropriate length, and hem anything that’s too long to avoid tripping.
5. Check the candy! — Not only does checking your child’s candy give mom and dad the chance to score a piece of their favorite chocolate, but it helps to make sure all of the candy is safe for consumption. When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.

From all of us at Growing Up in the Valley Magazine … Be safe and HAVE FUN this Halloween! And, if you’re still undecided on what costume to wear on this SPOOKTACULAR night, check out Fun Times Party Warehouse in Salem, Virginia for great costumes (to rent and purchase), decorations, and fun Halloween goodies!

You can check our their huge selection online at: www.funtimesvirginia.com. Or, give them a call at (540) 725-8200. Tell them that Growing Up in the Valley sent you!