Halloween is a time of fun for children. Here are a few simple tips to parents to ensure that your children’s holiday is a safe and healthy one, too.
Driving Safety
Motorists traveling on Halloween night should remember that children are everywhere: streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and parking lots. You will need to be on the highest alert while driving. Many of the costumes children wear are dark and difficult to see, be sure to have your headlights on. Slow down if you see leaves on the ground, you never know where children may be hiding. Be alert at all times and please drive with caution.
Advice To Parents
Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
Know the route your children will be taking if you are not going with them.
Set a curfew for children who are not being supervised by an adult.
Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
Safety is in numbers, older children should stay together in groups.
Assure your child is not tempted to eat their “unchecked” treats. Provide them with a good meal before they go out and give them some treats from home to place in their pockets.
Be careful about homemade treats or damaged wrappers.
Costume Safety
Costumes should be of bright material, visible in the dark or have reflective tape.
Consider using face paint, masks can hinder a child’s visibility.
If they do wear a mask, make sure it fits securely to allow good visibility.
Wear a well fitted costume. Loose costumes may cause the child to trip and fall.
Tape child’s name, address and telephone number to inside of costume.
Do not allow sharp instruments to be used in costuming.
Trick-or-treating Safety
Carry a flash light.
Walk on a sidewalk. If a sidewalk is not available, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
Avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys.
Stop at curbs.
Look left, right and left again before crossing a street at a crosswalk or corner.
Walk on well light streets.
Obey all traffic signals and rules of the road.
Trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods.
Carry emergency change to make a telephone call if needed.
Approach only homes that have their front porch light on.
Accept treats only at the front door. Never enter the home of a stranger.
Never eat treats before getting home. Allow your parents to inspect all candy first.
Secure Your Home
Prepare for trick-or-treaters by lighting the house well.
Restrain dogs and other animals.
Remove obstacles from the front yard.
Give individually wrapped candy or treats.
CPSC Provides Three Steps to a Safe Halloween Celebration WASHINGTON, D.C. – From a fall resulting in a dislocated shoulder, to an open flame resulting in second degree burns, each year CPSC receives reports of injuries involving Halloween-related costumes, décor, and lighting. These incidents are preventable. Using CPSC’s three-step safety check at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12018.pdf, consumers can ensure that their fright night fun is not haunted by Halloween injuries
