Tricks For Having A Halloween That Is A Treat

Halloween is here, and with this holiday comes dressing up in costumes, parties, and sweet treats! But beware that the night may be full of fun treats or not-so-fun tricks. Check out these tips to make festivities safe for everyone!

If you’re at a party:

Halloween is a night when students will be socializing with each other, whether it is at a friend’s place or an unfamiliar place your friend wants to go. Ask yourself these questions to make sure you’ll stay safe:

Who are you talking to?  With people wearing masks and costumes in a crowded, dim-lit party you might lose sight of your friends. Make sure you know who you are with, what they are wearing and how to find them. You don’t want to end up leaving with someone you don’t know!

What’s in your cup? To those of you who are legally able to drink: don’t accept drinks from strangers. Know what’s in your cup and keep an eye on it. Also, count your drinks and know how much alcohol your body can tolerate. In overcrowded Halloween parties, it’s essential to be coherent and aware of your surroundings.

Do you have a buddy? Go to the party with a friend and be conscious of where each other are the whole time. This might seem an inconvenience, but Halloween gatherings tend to become chaotic and if anything happens to you, it’s important to have someone who will notice and take action accordingly.

Does anyone know you’ve left? Ideally, you should always be with at least one friend. But since that’s not always possible, make sure there’s communication among friends. Let a friend know when you leave the party, and send a text when you get home so that they know you’re safe.

Are you driving?  Some Halloween parties in college may result in excessive drinking.  Be aware of people partaking in reckless activities, especially drunk driving. Try not to be on the roads whether you’re driving or walking, at night. If you are driving, be extra cautious of people on the sidewalk. Also, if you’ve been drinking and are unable to drive back home, make sure you get a sober friend to drive or call a cab.

If you’re trick or treating:

Who says you can’t walk around asking for free candy because you’re in college? Go get yourself some free sweets, but make sure you’re safe by following these directions:

Be seen. Make sure when you’re walking from door to door, the walking areas are well-lit. Keep close to the sidewalk and as far away as possible from the road because it could be dangerous if the drivers can’t see you. Also, take a flashlight with you so that you can see where you’re going.

Put a time limit. Once you start trick or treating, it’s hard to stop (especially once you start getting full-sized candy). However, set a time to stop trick or treating. It’s easy to get sidetracked and become lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Try to plan your route so that you know where you are. In case you stray from the route, have your charged phone with you.

Have a buddy. Go with a friend or a group of friends. Make sure that you’re not alone at any time of the night. You don’t know what could happen in the middle of the night. It’s more the merrier, anyway.

Inspect your treats.  Ever since you were a child you heard: “never take candy from a stranger”. Before you dig in, make sure the candy is unopened ad not tampered with.

Think about your health. I know it’s tempting to eat all those goodies you’ve gathered. Keep in mind that it’s all yours and no one will steal it. Before you grab a handful, know how to limit yourself. You can treat yourself a little every day, but try not to eat all of them in a day. Think about all the dreadful visits you would have to take to the dentist when you get unwanted cavities!

Halloween can be a fun time to dress up, socialize with friends, and get free candy. Go out and have fun, but be responsible. Make sure you’re safe in order to eliminate unwanted Halloween scares!