Help the elderly celebrate Halloween safely

You may have read our recent blog about how to keep safe at home if Halloween upsets you or an elderly neighbour or family member.

Help the elderly celebrate Halloween safely

That blog was for anyone who didn’t wish to encourage trick or treaters.

However, if you or the elderly or vulnerable person you know does wish to celebrate the seasonal festival, then here are our handy tips, so they can enjoy the event safely:

  • If you wish to create a spooky atmosphere and to decorate yours or a relative’s home with pumpkins and other ghoulish decorations, be sure to use LED candles and tealights, as naked flames increase the risk of fire and can be a major hazard especially if left unattended or accidentally knocked over.
  • Also ensure that your decorations don’t obscure the view from your window, so you can check who is knocking on your front door before opening it.
  • If you run out of sweets and goodies to give to visitors, put a sign on your door that says: ‘Sorry, no more treats’.
  • Enjoy Halloween as a group by asking family members, elderly friends and neighbours who would like to join in to participate in celebrations from your home.
  • See if you can get involved with any organised, official events in your neighbourhood by helping to decorate your village hall or community centre, or perhaps dressing-up and handing out treats.
  • Please don’t leave people with dementia alone at home on Halloween. Instead help them to enjoy the event and be with them if they wish to hand out treats. If they don’t wish to be involved in the evening, keep them company, distract them from any noises outside with a favourite movie and a tasty dietary-sensible meal.
  • If you do need to go anywhere by car in the evening, please take care as the streets of residential areas may be busy with people and children wandering around trick or treating.