Safety tips for kids trick-or-treating with no adult from Marshfield Clinic

Trick-or-treating when your kids were younger meant pictures of cute costumes and holding their hands as they went door to door.

Now that they’re older, they may ask to trick-or-treat unsupervised. That spells anxiety for parents and risks for kids.

Here are a few things to consider before you say yes or no, and some safety tips if you let your kids head out alone on Halloween.

Should I let my kids trick-or treat without an adult?

Kids younger than 8 should trick-or-treat with a parent, grandparent, teenage sibling or close friend’s parent, Marshfield Clinic pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Lamont said.

For older kids, the decision depends on the child’s maturity level, neighborhood safety and trick-or-treating hours in your community.

“There isn’t a certain age when kids are ready to trick-or-treat unsupervised,” Lamont said.

He suggested considering the same factors you would use in deciding whether your child is ready to stay home alone.

Kids should be able to follow rules and directions and know how to handle a stressful or emergency situation.

“Trick-or-treating is risky because kids are going to houses they otherwise wouldn’t,” Lamont said. “You don’t know who is behind a mask.”

Set rules for unsupervised trick-or-treating

Click on the targets in this image for tips to help kids stay safe when trick-or-treating without an adult.

Make sure your kids know the rules before they head out the door on Halloween.