Halloween Safety

Adults and children alike need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe to make Halloween a fun and safe one for everyone. The following are some easy tips that you can use to make your Halloween a great one for everybody.

Motorist Safety

• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars and for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
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• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At sunset and later in the evening watch for children in costumes that have dark clothing.

Parents

• Make sure that an adult accompanies any child that is under 12 years of age.
• Plan and discuss the route that the trick-or-treaters will be taking. Have your children travel only in familiar areas on an established route.
• Teach your children to stop at only well lit homes and never enter into a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time and make sure that your children don’t have any candy until they return home.
• Review all safety precautions with your children including pedestrian traffic safety rules.

Costume Safety

• Only use costumes that are made of fire-retardant materials.
• Costumes should be loose to fit warm clothing underneath and shouldn’t be to long as to cause a tripping hazard.
• If your children are out after dark outfits should be light colored with reflective tape on it to make children visible.
• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision so try to use facial make-up instead. If masks are worn they should have large nose, mouth and eye openings.

Accessories

• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. DO NOT allow children to carry sharp objects.
• Bags carried by the children should be light colored or trimmed with reflective tape.
• Have children carry flashlights or light sticks to help the children see better and be seen more clearly.

Trick-or-Treating

• Do not enter homes without adult supervision.
• Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects may present a tripping hazard.
• Make sure to walk only on sidewalks and not in the street.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

• Give children an early meal before going out.
• Make sure that all the treats are brought home for inspection before anything is eaten by your children.
• Never eat any candy where the seal has been broken and wash any fruit that they may have received.
• When you have any doubt about the candy or whatever treat you may have received it is best to throw it out. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry.