6 Halloween Safety Hacks for Your Visually Impaired Child

Editor’s note: Versions of this post were originally published  on the blogs of the Center for the Visually Impaired  and Outlook Business Solutions. I have reprinted it here with some minor  changes and updates.

Halloween is traditionally known as the spookiest holiday of the year. People celebrate by dressing up in creative costumes, participating in fun activities and eating lots of sweet treats. This fall holiday is fun and encourages socialization and self-confidence for low vision and blind children. They can hang out with their friends, go to costume parties, trick-or-treat, play games and more. Get your child ready to have a ghostly good time during Halloween with these tips.

1. Creative Costumes

Original yet clever costumes are a key element for an enjoyable Halloween. From furry animals, cartoon characters or your favorite super hero, costumes are essential. You can design and create your child’s costume or purchase one. Visually impaired children using wheelchairs can get in the game with imaginative  costumes that make their chair a prop. Get a costume that fits well. Not too big or too long that might trip and cause injury. Avoid costumes with masks, wigs, hats or eye patches that can block the eyes and decrease usable vision.

If using makeup Use easy on the face makeup and use products that won’t run or become itchy further decreasing visibility. Popular among older kids are cosmetic contact lenses that make your eyes look like cat eyes. They may seem like fun, especially at Halloween however, these lenses come with the same risks as regular contact lenses. This growing fad may seem harmless, but it is not. Have a prescription and be sure your teen does not share these lenses with others.

2. Carving and Decorating a Pumpkin

No Halloween would be right without a jack-o’-lantern. Carving    and decorating a pumpkin can be just as fun for kids with vision loss. Scooping out the insides gives a new sensory experience. Roast the seeds with your child or use the pumpkin for a baking project. Use flashlights, battery-operated flameless candles or glow sticks instead of candles to light your jack-o’-lantern. If you don’t carve the pumpkin, your child can decorate it with puffy paint, tacky glue, googly eyes or other art supplies.

3. Travel with Light and White Cane

Traditional Halloween activities are usually done around dark settings and at night, which could be a challenge for a visually impaired child. So, carry a flashlight, wear glow bracelets and place reflective tape on clothing, shoes and of course that large bag of treats that will be collected!

Additionally, use a white cane. It serves a dual purpose. A cane not only aids with safe mobility but has some reflective properties. The red tape on the cane is noticeable to cars or other treaters while traveling down dark sidewalks and across streets. If you are escorting a small child that does not use a white cane, hold their hands to dodge trips and falls, especially walking around dim places and navigating stairs. You can also use the tandem method of holding on to a string, rope or the trick-or-treat bag, so that everyone stays close and together.

4. Trick-or-treating

Don’t be adventurous on Halloween night. Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods. Treat during the daylight hours before it gets too dark or in community centers or shopping malls. Go to house parties of people you already know. Verbally communicate plans and activities with everyone involved. Listen carefully and pay attention to avoid even scarier fright like getting lost. Have your child carry a cell phone listing emergency contacts.

5. Keep Hands Free

Keep your hands free. Serious trick-or-treaters need hands available to tote all that candy and goodies. Bring a backpack or messenger bag to store treats. Also use a headlamp flashlight. Resist carrying additional items with your costume like spears, wands, swords or other pointy objects. This will keep hands free and avoid eye injuries.

6. Check Treats Before Eating

Finish a sweet and safe Halloween by checking candy and other treats with a sighted person. Since the child is visually impaired it is even more important to carefully inspect candy. Throw away anything that looks suspicious, has been opened or is damage.

Don’t let low vision or blindness frighten you away from enjoying Halloween. With some pre-planning and following these safety tips you and your child will have a ghostly good time!