Halloween is arriving soon on Tuesday, October 31st 🎃

We celebrate this holiday by dressing up in costumes, going trick-or-treating, decorating our houses, and watching scary movies!

While it's a time of fun and festivity, we should be mindful of any dangers present during this eerie holiday.

Whether you are a young adult who will be dressing up and attending a spooky party, or you are a parent who will be taking your toddler trick-or-treating, we should all plan and prepare ahead to ensure a sweet and smooth experience.

Here are some basic tips that can be followed to ensure a fun time!

1. Carry a Personal Alarm

Everyone should carry a personal alarm on Halloween whether you are walking the streets collecting candy or attending a costume party.

Personal alarms are one of the best self defense products for people of all genders and ages because they are non-lethal, highly effective, and easy to use.

Personal alarms emit a loud high-pitched sound that can scare away predators and attract the attention of close bystanders.

Many children will be outdoors walking around in public with their friends, family and parents in costume on Halloween night. Predators will know that Halloween night is the one night of the year that the most children will be vulnerable in an open uncontrolled environment. Equipping your child with personal alarm that can be activated by simply pulling a cord or pressing a button, allows your child to be equipped and ready if they are engaged by a stranger. If they sense danger, the loud siren will scare away the predator and attract the attention of adults in the area to intervene or call for help.

Click here to view our curated selection of top personal alarms.

2. Carry a Flashlight

Halloween is notorious for being a night time holiday that is best experienced in spooky settings, so it's no surprise that most children go trick-or-treating when the sun has already set and it's dark out.

It's important to know that evil people use darkness as a cloak for their criminal activities and indiscretions. While you and your child may simply be enjoying the adrenaline rush from scary sidewalk installations, predators are using the environment to find opportunities.

Therefore in addition to a personal alarm, you should equip yourself with a flashlight. You can use flashlights in practical ways such as to illuminate your path, but they can also be used in self-defense ways to temporarily blind an aggressor or to solicit help and attention from bystanders by emitting a flashing light.

Flashlights are also non-lethal, easy to use, and can be used in a variety of emergency or survival instances not having to do with personal protection.

Click here to browse our top-rated flashlights for emergencies and self-defense.

3. Stay in Groups

The streets and sidewalks on Halloween night will be bustling with trick-or-treaters and party-goers. Staying in groups will provide an extra layer of security against getting lost or being targeted by a predator, since predators look for victims who are alone.

If you are a parent with a child, make sure to use a buddy system or use a connecting child leash to navigate the crowds and dimly lit areas.

If you are a young adult who's attending an event, make sure to arrive with your group of friends and leave with them as well.

Staying in groups provides a sense of collective safety and can help you avoid danger.

4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most effective ways to stay safe on Halloween and in your daily life.

The key to being aware of your surroundings is to also be able to identify people and things that seems out of place, and attributing meaning to those discrepancies. This is also known as situational awareness.

For example on Halloween, if you see an adult in the trick-or-treat crowd without a child, that might raise a red flag. Or if you see someone dressed in costume but they are focused and fixated on a child rather than the scary displays and installations.

Situational awareness will help you identify people and things that are out of place in your environment, and prepare to act accordingly to avoid or address them.

5. Inspect Candy

Inspecting the candy children collect on Halloween is important for ensuring that the candy is not tampered with, not expired, and safe to eat for children during the festivities.

By carefully examining treats, parents and guardians can identify signs of tampering or contamination, to prevent the consumption of harmful substances. This process involves checking for unwrapped or suspicious-looking items, as well as verifying the integrity of packaging and looking out for any unusual smells or discoloration.

Likewise, some people may reuse candy they collected or leftovers from Halloween the year before, so it's important to check expiration dates to ensure they are fresh for consumption.

By inspecting candy before they are eaten, families can celebrate Halloween with peace of mind and children can enjoy their sweet treats without interruption.

6. Utilize Technology

If you are the parent of teenagers who will be celebrating the holiday with their friends without your watchful eye, you can utilize tech to ensure their safety and your peace of mind.

Location-sharing apps are vital in this day and age so you know that your children are exactly where they are supposed to be. Additionally, group chats can provide updates on where they are in real time. Lastly, neighborhood social chats can provide warnings about any suspicious or creepy persons in the area.

7. Identify Entrances and Exits

If you are attending a Halloween party or event, make sure to identify entrances and exits to the venue. Holiday events draw large crowds and are a prime target for predators and evil people to commit violence. Identifying the entrances and exits will help you remember where to flee to in the case of an emergency.

Halloween Self-Defense Conclusion

Please remember that these are only tips and reminders!

You should enjoy the holidays and the time spent with friends, family, and loved ones without the constant reminder of fear.

However, one of the best ways to enjoy the festivities is to be prepared for anything that might arise. Having that extra peace of mind will allow you to relax and know that you have covered all potential dangers that can occur.

Stay spook-free and safety-savvy this Halloween! 👻