There's a difference between taking candy a stranger is offering and asking people to give you candy at expected locations and times.

And kids do what most adults say so the fact that you're taking them out Trick or Treating suggests you know what you're doing and they're just doing as they're told - even if it's what they WANT to do.

Chances are a kid will even take candy from a stranger if another adult (not the one offering) tells them to. The third party voucher carries a lot of weight even in phishing attempts.

If you truly want to be consistent with "nothing from a stranger" then take your children around the neighborhood and introduce them to the people you trust. Then when Halloween comes around it won't be hypocritical. But that will require a more active part you must play. Do you care enough about the safety of your children to do that?

Sadly while most parents would say they do care enough, only rarely will even a single family actually make the effort. Great question, but hypothetical unless you're willing to step up and do the right thing.

On Halloween children are under the protection of the Great Pumpkin, if they are sincere.

The rest of the year they are not.

I've always gone to my neighbors' houses. I don't necessarily know all of them, but I live in a small community and they are usually friends of friends. If you really don't want your kids to take candy from strangers, don't send them to the home of strangers on Halloween either. Arrange a group of friends or neighbors to hand out candy, or throw a Halloween party and invite all their friends. Check out the links for alternative trick or treating options.

Honestly, there are indeed safety issues when kids get out for Halloween, but ultimately the tradition of the holiday prevails. No one wants to be that one parent who doesn't allow their kids to go trick or treating, that's silly. However, as a parent, you can go out with your kids if they are younger and, regardless of age, always check through their bags to check the candy once they get home. It's only a very select few who give out bad stuff to kids on Halloween, so it's fine to put some trust in your neighbors for one day per year.