In two days you will be sending your children out trick or treating, handing out candy or attending your own adult social functions. Each year we remind our readers on the importance of communication and using common sense on Halloween by providing tips and tricks to help keep everyone safe.
20 Halloween Safety Tips
- Costumes should be flame resistant. Avoid costumes with excessive flowing fabric, such as capes or wide sleeves, because loose clothing can easily brush up against a jack-o-lantern candle or other open flame, causing your child’s costume to catch on fire.
- Costumes should be easily seen. Use reflective tape or stickers on the front and back so they catch the eye of drivers.
- Give your children flashlights to use. They are fun for the kids and highly visible.
- Walk on the sidewalk or in the grass. NOT in the street. If you must walk in the street, always stay on the left . . . facing oncoming traffic.
- Remind kids to use crosswalks or intersections when crossing the street, never between parked cars.
- Remind your kids not to accept rides from strangers and no shortcuts through backyards, alleys, parks or going into people's homes.
- Only approach well-lit homes and remain on the porch within street view.
- Inspect the candy. Don't eat anything that may look like it has been tampered with. Make sure your kids don't eat anything until you have inspected it, first.
- Don't eat homemade treats.
- Check the sex-offender registry for the neighborhoods your kids will be in.
- Map out routes and follow them.
- Make sure your kids are with a friend or in a group - don't go out alone.
- Did your child bring home too much candy? Offer to "buy back" candy in exchange for toys.
- If you are handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, clear off your sidewalk and porch so no one trips and falls.
- Keep your pets away from the kids.
- Dry ice is a great special effect, but can be dangerous if ingested. Don't use where children can reach it.
- Use battery-powered jack-o-lanterns instead of lighting candles.
- If you are attending your own social events, try to stay out of neighborhoods where you know kids will be walking. If you drive through one, slow down 5 mph under the posted speed limit and keep alert.
- Test your makeup before that night just to see how it will react on your skin. Stay away from those "spooky" contact lenses unless you've seen an eye care specialist.
- Be careful. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the chances of a child being hit by a car is about 4 times higher on Halloween night than any other night of the year . . . and you don't want to be that driver.
