Poolside Trick-or-Treating: A Safer Halloween Alternative

Have you ever heard of poolside trick-or-treating? Depending on your local weather, it might be music to some parents’ ears. Halloween is a spooky and delightful time of year for kids, but it also comes with its fair share of safety concerns.

As parents and grandparents, it's only natural that you want to ensure your little costumed crusaders have a fantastic Halloween experience. That said, you also want them to stay out of harm’s way.

One great way to do that is by considering alternatives to the typical Halloween experience. For instance, “poolside trick-or-treating" is a fun and secure alternative to the traditional door-to-door adventure. In this blog, we'll dive into the concept of Poolside Trick-or-Treating and provide you with valuable tips to make it a hit this Halloween. Read on to learn more! 

What is Poolside Trick-or-Treating?

So, why should you consider swapping out the usual neighborhood stroll for poolside fun? The answer is simple: safety. According to the CDC, Halloween is one of the top days for pedestrian accidents, especially involving children. Choosing a controlled environment like a poolside party can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and keep the focus on the fun. Of course, any poolside fun always comes with its own risks. But with proper precautions, keeping kids away from the busy streets may just be the ticket to safe fun you were hoping for.

Creating the Perfect Poolside Halloween Party:

1. Location, Location, Location:

• Start by booking a pool facility or club that has lifeguards on duty. Safety first!
• Ensure that the pool area is well lit and equipped with non-slip surfaces.

2. Costumes:

• Emphasize water-friendly costumes. This may include water-resistant face paint, or even Halloween-themed swimsuits.
• Avoid costumes that can become tangled or drag in the water. Remember that when fabric gets wet, it gets heavy.  This can be a hazard, so we strongly encourage themed swimsuits over other more traditional costumes.

3. Decorations:

• Adorn the pool area with Halloween-themed decorations, such as inflatable pumpkins, ghostly streamers, and glow-in-the-dark toys.
• Illuminate the area with LED lights and lanterns to maintain visibility.
• Be sure to keep any wires or electrical sources far away from the pool area!

4. Trick-or-Treating in the Water:

• Set up candy stations around the pool, making sure they are easily accessible.
• Kids can collect candy from the candy stations without even leaving the water.
• Assign lifeguards or adults to oversee the candy stations to ensure safe distribution.
• Use pool noodles or floats to create designated "candy islands."
• To increase safety, you may choose to have the candy outside of the pool area to separate the treats from the water fun.

5. Safety Measures:

• Clearly establish the safety rules for the poolside trick-or-treating area before anyone approaches the water. These are basic safety precautions like “no running or roughhousing” and how to call for help.
• Limit the invite list. Too many kids in a pool area can create chaos. Keep the number of attendees to a minimum, and make sure there are a proper number of adults to rotate supervising roles and keep an eye on each and every kid.
• Have at least one CPR-trained adult present. It is best to have multiple.
• Encourage kids to use the buddy system. Having an extra set of eyes on every child can help prevent drowning incidents.
• Ensure that the pool is shallow, properly maintained and that all participants know how to swim. Life vests should be available for non-swimmers. An active supervisor should be present even around practices swimmers to avoid any accidents.
• Install a pool fence with a self-latching gate to help prevent access to the pool when it isn’t in use.
• Be sure that candy and any other toys are removed from the pool area when the pool is not in use. Otherwise, curious wanderers can attempt to find their way back to the water. This is another reason a fence and alarms around the pool area are so important, even when adults are present.

6. Food, Drinks and Entertainment:

• Serve Halloween-themed snacks like "monster eyeball" grapes and "mummy" hot dogs.
• Offer a variety of beverages to keep everyone hydrated.
• Organize Halloween-themed games.
• Play spooky music in the background to set the mood.

Why Poolside Trick-or-Treating Can be a Safe Alternative:

Controlled Environment

A poolside party allows for controlled conditions. This minimizes the risk of accidents and potential hazards that may otherwise be encountered during traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. As mentioned earlier, pedestrian trick-or-treaters are often struck by vehicles.

Visibility

The well-lit pool area with attentive and actively supervising adults helps everyone to see clearly, reducing the chances of slips and falls.

Water Safety

By hosting your event near a pool, kids can become more comfortable and confident in the water, and it offers an opportunity to reinforce water safety lessons.

Poolside trick-or-treating offers a safe and fun alternative to the traditional Halloween experience. So long as there are responsible adults present who help to maintain the established rules, taking the party to a controlled environment like a pool can reduce the risk of accidents.

Of course, this can help you and your trick-or-treaters to enjoy a worry-free celebration. Make this Halloween special by embracing a new tradition that ensures the safety and wellbeing of your little ones, all while having a spooktacular time!