How to Have a Safe Halloween
Follow Holiday Tips Recommended by Public Safety Agencies
Public safety agencies in the United States and Canada offer a range of advice for drivers, parents and children to ensure families return safely after a night of going from home to home in search of candy, popcorn and other treats.
For drivers, the message is simple: Be cautious and slow down when motoring through residential neighborhoods, where throngs of costumed youngsters are wondering. Be especially careful when entering or exiting driveways and alleys.
Parents obviously have the biggest role to play in keeping their sons and daughters safe this Halloween. Consider these simple holiday safeguards:
Flashlights for Pumpkins
Keep matches, candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach of young children. Avoid using candles with multiple wicks in close quarters that can produce intense heat and start fires. Better yet, opt for a flashlight in your pumpkin.
Never allow small children to carve a face on a pumpkin. Make them feel a part of the festivities by allowing them to design the pumpkin face.
Candy Moderation
Parents should accompany their children when they go trick-or-treating, or at least see that a responsible adult is with them. And before letting them go, make sure they have eaten a healthy meal to discourage them from overindulging. Discuss the route of the candy-gathering excursion beforehand. And children should only go to homes that are well-lit and never enter a stranger’s home or a car. Agree on a time when the children should return home.
Make sure children know their home phone numbers in the event they get separated from their families.
Do not run from house to house because there may be obstructions along the way that can cause injuries. Stay on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks along the street where they are trick-or-treating, they should walk on the left side of the road so they will always see oncoming traffic.
Inspect Those Treats
Make sure children promise not to eat any of their treats until they return home and parents can inspect goodie bags. Always dispose of unwrapped candy. If a parent has a doubt about an item, he or she should err on the side of caution and put it in the trash.
Make sure the costumes children wear are reflective and stand out at night. Don’t allow them to wear costumes that are too long – they are a tripping hazard. Have all children carry a light, and seek out costume elements that resist fire. Also, consider loose-fitting costumes so children can wear warmer clothes underneath to protect them from the colder weather.
Discourage Mask Wearing
Discourage the use of masks, which can limit vision. Consider non-toxic makeup or expressive hats. At the very least, make sure children remove masks when crossing streets. And never allow children to carry sharp objects in the form of knives, swords or other costume accessories. Such items should be made of harmless flexible materials.
And parents should not neglect their own homes. Remove hazards such as low tree branches, flower pots, garden hoses and extension cords. Secure pets so they don’t get “spooked” by all the festivities.
And once parents have done everything reasonable to protect those you love, they can enjoy the fun and frights of a holiday that celebrates creativity, community and the magic of autumn evenings.
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