"Expert's Guide: Determining the Right Age for Kids to Trick-or-Treat Alone"

Deciding when kids can go trick-or-treating alone depends on factors like maturity, ability to follow rules, and the neighborhood environment. Safety expert Pattie Fitzgerald suggests around the age of 12 as a starting point for considering independence. Parents should teach street smarts and ensure children go in groups. Potential risks include strangers, traffic accidents, and aggressive individuals. Parents can prepare by creating a safety plan, carrying a cell phone, using safety gear, sticking to well-lit areas, and trusting instincts. For parents hesitant to let go completely, they can gradually give children independence by allowing them to go ahead with friends while staying within sight.