🎃 Don’t Be Spooked—Be Prepared: Self-Defence Awareness for Halloween

Halloween is all about fun, costumes, and connection — but with darker evenings and busy streets, it’s also a time to stay prepared and alert. Whether you’re heading out with friends or your little ones are excited for trick-or-treating, awareness is your best defence.

Here are some simple but powerful safety reminders to keep this Halloween safe for everyone.

For Women Going Out

1. Plan your route and stay visible.Stick to well-lit areas, avoid shortcuts through parks or alleys, and share your location with a trusted friend. If you’re using public transport or ride shares, confirm driver details before getting in.

2. Keep your awareness sharp: ‘mind the grab’. Even in costume, stay mindful of your surroundings. Limit distractions like headphones or constant phone use when walking. When in busy streets, mind the grab by positioning yourself away from the curbs, and securing a strong grip on your phone in moments when you need to use it, and keep your valuables out of sight.

3. Drink safely and plan your transport.If you’re celebrating, keep your drink with you at all times and watch it being made. Plan how you’ll get home before heading out — and don’t accept rides from anyone you don’t know or don’t trust. Stick with friends or pre-book a licensed cab when possible. Remember that sweets offered by strangers can be laced with drugs.

4. Equip yourself with safety gadgets.Carry a personal alarm, a torch with a strong, bright lumen light, and a fully charged phone. Bringing a portable power bank ensures your phone stays powered in case of emergencies or if you need to navigate home late at night. If you’re using rideshare such as Uber, having a window breaker can be a good tool for emergency situations.

5. Use location sharing. Activate Find My or location sharing on your phone with a trusted friend or family member so they can see your whereabouts throughout the evening. It’s an easy and effective way to stay connected and safe. If you carry valuable items, or using a vehicle, consider getting an Air Tag for tracking purposes.

 For Kids Trick-or-Treating

1. Always go in groups.Children should never trick-or-treat alone. Stay in groups with a responsible adult and keep to familiar neighbourhoods.

2. Stay visible.Add reflective tape, gadgets, or accessories to costumes or carry glow sticks and torches to make sure drivers can see you.

3. Don’t go into anyone’s house.Remind children never to enter a stranger’s home, even if they’re invited in. Sweets should always be collected from the doorway, and kids should stay close to the group or an adult at all times.

4. Equip them with safety gadgets. Give kids small torches, glow bracelets, or child-friendly personal alarms to carry. If they’re old enough to have a phone, make sure it’s fully charged, with Find My or location sharing enabled so you can check where they are at any time.If they don’t have a phone, consider attaching an AirTag or another tracking device to their bag or costume — especially if they’re going trick-or-treating in a group without an adult.

5. Check the treats.Before kids eat any of the treats they have collected, check all sweets for tampering or unwrapped items.

When You’re Handing Out Treats

Even if you’re staying in for the night, it’s important to stay alert when opening your door to strangers.

1. Stay alert when opening the door: If you feel uneasy or are home alone, don’t feel pressured to open the door. You can leave a sign outside the door or gate: ““Sorry, no trick-or-treating this year — have a safe and happy Halloween!”. Alternatively, leave the sweets outside instead.

If you do want to open the door, peek through the peep hole or window before opening, and remember you can always use a door chain when handing out sweets, to reduce the risk of a forced entry.

2. Use lighting to your advantage.Keep your doorway well-lit so you can clearly see who’s knocking. Good lighting is a deterrent and helps you assess the situation before opening the door.

Halloween season can be both thrilling and safe when we combine fun with awareness and preparation. Always have a safety plan in place – when you travel, when you open the door to strangers, and when you’re out and about. Preparation goes a long way, and using our instincts together with reasonable assessment can keep us, and our little ones safe.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!