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Whether you’re a first-time parent or veteran child-rearing extraordinaire, Halloween can cause anxiety
for moms and dads alike. Straddling that “fine line” between encouraging the kids to enjoy themselves while fretting about their well-being is an arduous task.

For most kids (and even kids-at-heart), October 31st represents imagination, whimsy, and of course, that all-important sugar rush. Decked out in costumes they’ve spent several weeks planning, throngs of ghosts, goblins, princesses, fairies and superheroes eagerly dart around the neighborhood, chanting that classic phrase: “Trick-or-treat!” 

Innocent children equate Halloween with lighthearted revelry; however, just like its dark and eerie origins, this occasion can serve as a backdrop for ominous events to take place. Evidence shows that, across both the United States and Canada, crime rates generally spike on Halloween, as compared to other consumer holidays. Many parents are aware of this trend, with only 37 percent of respondents to a recent survey indicating they are “not concerned” about Halloween safety.

How can parents, therefore, protect their little trick-or-treaters from “things that go ‘bump’ in the night?” The following facts and figures will inform you of potential threats, so you can help keep the magic, mystery and playful mischief alive for your child this Halloween.

Spooky Statistics

According to James Alan Fox, a professor at Boston’s Northeastern University, criminal activity tends to increase on three specific holidays — New Year’s Eve, Independence Day and Halloween.  Between 2006 and 2009, crime around the city of Boston was 50 percent higher on October 31 than any other date all year. Similarly, in Canada, police have reported a 50 percent upsurge of weapon-related felonies during Halloween.         

Steps Toward Safety

Arguably, this ghoulish occasion brings out the reckless abandon in would-be troublemakers, which is why law enforcement is taking preventative measures against these actions. In order to reduce the risk of masked perpetrators robbing, or in some extreme cases, even assaulting people, many states ban anyone over the age of 16 from wearing Halloween costume masks. 

Police have imposed stringencies on registered sex offenders as well. All sex crime parolees throughout the New York City boroughs must stay inside their homes on October 31, starting at 3 p.m., and cannot leave until 6 a.m. the following morning. Police officers have even been known to make random house-calls to verify these individuals haven’t come into contact with underage trick-or-treaters.       

In addition to heightened law enforcement patrol on Halloween, numerous suburban areas also launch full-scale neighborhood watch initiatives. George Mason University’s student government participates in a “Witch Watch,” during which they provide surveillance for various communities throughout Fairfax County, Virginia. 

Drinking Dilemmas

Another safety concern stems from drunk and disorderly conduct at Halloween raves — specifically around college campuses. Intoxicated party-goers often become prone to rowdy, rash or even belligerent behavior; therefore, police discourage driving after nightfall on October 31, as more DUI incidents are prevalent. 

Some people assume Halloween crime spikes occur as a result of this increased substance abuse. However, Americans consume more alcohol during holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and even Independence Day, than they do on Halloween. Still, taking precautions against alcohol-induced aggression could prove beneficial.   

Parental Protection Tips

Whether you’re a first-time parent or veteran child-rearing extraordinaire, Halloween can cause anxiety for moms and dads alike. Straddling that “fine line” between encouraging the kids to enjoy themselves while fretting about their well-being is an arduous task. So, ease your stress and maximize their fun by following these pointers:

1. Use costume make-up instead of masks. This alternative is more comfortable and won’t obstruct your children’s vision, thereby enabling them to maintain awareness of their surroundings and suspicious characters.
2. Stick with brightly colored costumes so your children will remain visible to cars. Equipping them with a flashlight or glow-in-the-dark jack-o-lantern is also a smart idea.
3. Instruct your children not to enter anyone’s home.
4. Remind your children to avoid nibbling their candy until they come home — this will allow you to sort through each sweet and determine whether it’s safe to consume.

This article originally published on HuffingtonPost.com by Frankie Rendón