Trick-or-treat: Halloween is a time of excitement for children. The thrill of choosing a costume and going door-to-door to collect candy creates an experience that kids eagerly anticipate all year. But it’s also a time that demands vigilance from parents. The days leading up to trick-or-treating are a good time to speak with your children about safety, from knowing who lives in your neighborhood and avoiding candy with open wrappers, to sticking with friends when a parent is not around. By following these simple tips, you can ensure your child has a fun – and safe – Halloween.
On Halloween, child pedestrian deaths are more than twice as likely compared to other days. To keep children safe, parents should ensure younger kids are accompanied by an adult, while older children stick with friends and stay in familiar areas. Flashlights or glowsticks can improve visibility, and bright colors or reflective materials on costumes help drivers spot trick-or-treaters. Remind children to cross streets at corners with traffic signals or crosswalks and stay alert for cars backing out of driveways. These simple steps can help ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween night for everyone.
Beware of sex offenders: Megan’s Law, enacted in 1996, requires all states to maintain public registries of convicted sex offenders, providing details like names, addresses, photos, and offense histories. Offenders must regularly update their information, often within 72 hours of moving, with severe penalties for non-compliance.
Some states even have specific laws about what sex offenders can and can’t do on Halloween. In Missouri, offenders must stay indoors from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with their lights off. Louisiana bars offenders from participating in Halloween activities, including giving out candy or wearing a mask, with violations punishable by up to three years in prison. Taylor County in Texas even enforces a “Lights Out” program, requiring offenders to attend a meeting during trick-or-treat hours.
The National Sex Offender Public Website also features helpful resources you can use to identify and prevent sexual abuse.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
OTHER NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE ON STATE BAN ON TRANSGENDER MEDICAL PROCEDURES ON MINORS: The Supreme Court will hear U.S. v. Skrmetti on Dec. 4, addressing Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and surgeries on minors with a ruling expected by June. The ACLU and DOJ oppose the law, citing similar bans blocked in other states, though the 6th Circuit allowed Tennessee’s to take effect. The case was filed by three trans-identifying minors, their parents, and a doctor who facilitates these procedures. Read more here.
NEW YORK’S ANTI PARENT ‘EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT’ WILL GO UP FOR A VOTE ON ELECTION DAY: Proposition 1 would add new categories to the existing protections against discrimination to include transgender minor “rights” in the state Constitution. Read more here.
GALAXY GAS TREND PUTS TEENS AT RISK: The “Galaxy Gas” trend highlights how nitrous oxide, also known as whippets, is being misused by teens to get high, with deadly consequences. The colorful packaging and social media exposure make these products more appealing to children. This trend reflects a growing concern about how harmful substances are being mass-marketed to children, demonstrating the importance of keeping parents informed and engaged in countering dangerous online influences. Read more here.
FEMALE GOLFERS DEMAND REMOVAL OF BIOLOGICAL MEN FROM LPGA QUALIFIER & CALL FOR FEMALE ONLY CATEGORY: A letter signed by 275 female golfers calls for the removal of trans player, James Scott Davidson, from the LPGA Qualifier for physical advantages that undermine fairness and athletic integrity. Read more here.
TAXPAYER DOLLARS USED TO GIVE CHILDREN PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONES: The National Institutes of Health used $5.7M of taxpayer dollars to administer puberty blockers and hormones into 95 children across the U.S. to evaluate the effects on their mental health. Despite liberal claims, the study showed that these abuses led to suicidal ideations and significant mental health declines in the minors. Worst of all, the NIH refused to publish the study because the results showed that gender-interventions actually did not improve children’s mental health. Read more here.
DANGERS OF SEXUALIZED COSTUMES FOR KIDS: Costumes for girls are increasingly focused on appearance, promoting outfits that send harmful messages about self-worth. Experts warn that this trend can lead to body image issues, mental health struggles, and objectification. Parents are encouraged to guide children toward creative, empowering costumes that reflect their talents and interests rather than societal pressures. Promoting imagination, kids can explore meaningful roles, such as judges or superheroes, fostering confidence not based on physical appearance. Read more here.
Thanks for reading the latest edition of the American Parents Coalition’s The Lookout. If you have a troubling story to share about a school, doctor, company, or other institution working to usurp parents’ rights, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].
