Tips to Keep in Mind when Planning a Safe Halloween Party
It’s October and you are just dying to have a Halloween party. Maybe you want to plan one for the kids, or perhaps for your own friends or family. A good Halloween party can easily be a ton of fun.
It would be a shame if a great party and good time was ruined by something horrible or unfortunate. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when planning the festivities to help keep your party safe…
1. “Beware” of Allergies
No, you aren’t a doctor, but you don’t want anyone to get hurt either. If you choose to prepare foods that contain shellfish, nuts, dairy, and so on, just be sure to take the time to label each of the foods. Making labels such as “Contains NUTS” can prevent an accident, injury, and liability.
You will never be able to create a menu that will satisfy everyone, but it is a good idea to include some different options. It is probably also a good idea to tell people as they arrive at the party that some of the foods have nuts and/or dairy and that they should check with you before eating anything if they have an allergy.
2. DON’T Burn Down the House
Having a Halloween party, especially at night, usually involves jack-o-lanterns, candles, and other cool decorations using fire. Be aware of the locations where you place these decorations. You do not want guests to knock over candles and set the house – or themselves – on fire.
This is particularly true when children are involved. Ghosts, princesses, and other ghouls come with flowy costumes that could easily catch on fire if they pass near a candle or jack-o-lantern with an exposed flame.
If you are pretty sure that your party will get rowdy, it may be a good idea to do away with the open flames altogether. Why tempt fate?
3. Avoid Dangerous Games that Could Cause Injury
Of course a Halloween party wouldn’t be a Halloween party without a little risk or scare. But limit the amount of dangerous games that could cause someone to get hurt.
Bobbing for apples is a classic Halloween party game. But be careful if children are participating in this game. If someone is not watching closely enough and a child falls into the apple-bobbing tub, they could potentially drown.
Be careful when choosing games such as “hitting the piñata”. Do you really want children swinging a bat as hard as he or she can near other children? Maybe not such a good idea…
4. Be Careful Your Party Doesn’t Turn into an “Angry Orchard”
It is not your responsibility to “babysit” your adult guests. However, you do have a certain degree of responsibility with respect to being watchful of the amount of alcohol your guests consume while at your party, and whether or not they hit the road after the party.
It’s a good idea to collect everyone’s keys when they first arrive. Then, hide them. Only hand them out after you have observed the driver and feel that he or she is capable of driving – and is not intoxicated.
If you question whether a person is capable of driving home safely, do not give him or her their keys. They may yell and scream at you, but you are doing the right thing.
After all, it is your neck on the line if something happens. If an accident occurs, the path inevitably will lead back to you as the one who supplied the booze. This does not leave you in a good position.
Either make your party alcohol-free, limit the alcohol that gets passed around, or be prepared to carefully monitor the situation. Have a taxi number or Uber app ready to go
Halloween parties should be fun for everyone, but they should also be safe. Enjoy your Halloween this year!