Keeping your ghouls and ghosts safe - Halloween Safety

Halloween is all about fun and candy, but keeping children safe should be your highest priority.

Here are a few Halloween safety tips to ensure everyone has a safe night.

Costume

• Avoid costumes that are too long or may cause a tripping hazard
• Ensure that the mask or any other part of the costume that covers the face does not interfere with vision
• Ensure wigs, capes or other loose-hanging parts of costumes do not come in contact with open flames from pumpkins or candles
• Add reflective tape to the costume or have your child wear a glow stick necklace so they are visible in the dark.  Both can be purchased at a dollar store

Trick or Treating

• Trick or treat in a familiar, well lit area.
• Children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Encourage children to trick or treat in a group
• Make sure kids are always paying attention to traffic when crossing the street.  It is easy for them to get caught up in the excitement
• For older children, ensure parents are made aware of the route
• Remind children to never enter a house under any circumstance
• Stop only at house that have their lights on or a pumpkin lit up

Candy Inspection

• After trick or treating, parents should inspect all candy.  Look for open wrappers, wrappers that look like they have been resealed or have holes in them.
• Anything homemade should be thrown in the garbage.

Home Owners

• You will have lots of traffic on your property and you are liable if anyone is injured.
• Inspect your walkway and front door area for tripping hazards.
• Ensure Halloween decorations are safely placed and out of the main walkway.

Driving

• Slow down!
• Anticipate.  Kids can be unpredictable, even more so when they are excited and distracted.
• Do not text and drive.  With so many children out and about, all your attention should be focused on the road.

Have a very Happy and Safe Halloween!