10/23/2015
Halloween Safety tips for Parents
Halloween is an exciting time for children, but it also can be a dangerous time. On average, children are more than twice likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year. This statistic isn’t meant to scare you – it’s meant to help you prepare your children for a safe Halloween.
Here are some important Halloween safety tips that every parent should know:
• Purchase or make Halloween costumes from flame-resistant materials.
• Pick brightly colored costumes and fasten reflective tape to the costumes or bags so motorist can see them.
• An adult should always accompany children under the age 12.
• Make sure your child or a responsible adult carries a cell phone for quick communication.
• To avoid tripping, make sure your child’s costume is not too long and the shoes are proper size.
• Use washable face paint instead of mask so your child’s vision is not compromised. If you use make up, always test make up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
• Plan the route your children are going to take, especially if they’re going out unsupervised. They should go in a group.
• Hold a flashlight while trick or treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
• To stay safe walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Teach your children never to respond to a driver or pedestrian that calls out to them.
• Make sure your children don’t eat candy or food without checking with you first. Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in the wrapper. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
• Keep your walkway free of debris so that children coming to your house won’t trip or fall. Keep your pets away from the front door so they won’t scare trick or treaters.
• Tell your children not to go to houses with barking, jumping dogs and not to approach any stray dog(s).
• Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Teach your children not to enter a stranger’s home. Only visit well-lit homes. Don’t stop at dark houses.
