Halloween is right around the corner, and that means you’re probably helping your child figure out this year’s costume. Trick or Treating around the neighborhood can be an enjoyable time for the whole family, but running around unfamiliar walkways in the dark while wearing a costume can be a recipe for injury. In today’s blog, we share some tips for helping avoid foot and ankle injuries while Trick or Treating.
Avoiding Injuries During Trick Or Treating
Here are some tips to keep in mind to help keep your child’s ankles and feet safe while they are Trick or Treating.
1. Ditch The Cape and Masks – We understand that your child may want a long-flowing cape as they fly around the neighborhood as Batman or don a scary monster mask, but both of these Halloween items can contribute to trip and fall injuries. If your child is insisting on a cape, make sure it doesn’t come down much past their waist. As for masks, visibility is a must, so test them out before you buy or consider other options, like face paint.
2. Light It Up – As you can probably see when you look out the window in the evenings, it’s getting darker earlier and earlier each night, and that loss of visibility will make it hard for your child to safely traverse the neighborhood. Have your child wear reflective clothing to help them stay visible to cars and others, and consider having them carry a flashlight so they can see steps or other obstacles as they go from door to door. If you’re going with them, carry a flashlight or two to help illuminate everyone’s way.
3. Comfort Over Costumed Shoes – If you bought a costume that comes with shoes, consider wearing them for any pictures you want to take, but switch to a more comfortable pair when Trick or Treating. A lot of shoes that come with prepackaged costumes are little more than cardboard in terms of support, and they aren’t something you’re going to want to be taking thousands of steps in on Halloween. Incorporate comfortable and supportive shoes into you’re child’s costume so their feet will be protected throughout the night.
4. Stay On Sidewalks – Talk to your kids about staying on driveways and sidewalks as they work their way through the neighborhood. Running through lawns may get you there a couple seconds faster, but not only is it impolite, it significantly increases your risk of a slip or trip. The grass will likely be wet as temperatures drop with the sunset, so stay on the dry and slip-resistance sidewalks and walkways during Trick or Treating.