Simple Safety Tips for Halloween

Halloween is a night of fun and fright, but it does require extra caution when it comes to keeping your little monsters safe. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “on average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year, and more than 70 percent of accidents occur away from an intersection or crosswalk.” Follow these simple safety tips to help avoid common Halloween dangers.
Children In Cape Costumes Trick-or-treating On Halloween
Tip #1: Be there and be aware.
Trick or treat is safer- not to mention more fun- in groups, and adult supervision is essential. So get together with other adults and make an evening of it. Bring cellphones for quick pictures and emergencies, but leave them in your pockets to avoid getting distracted.
Tip #2: Stay on the sidewalks.
The thrill of the holiday often factors into accidents as excited kids rush from door to door. Keep your witches and warlocks on the sidewalks, and shepherd them carefully when they need to cross the road. In areas without sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
Tip #3: To be safe, it’s best to be seen.
Have kids carry a flashlight with them and affix reflective tape to their treat bags and/or costumes. Parents and chaperones should carry flashlights, too.
Tip #4: Turn your Jack-o-lanterns into Safe-o-lanterns.
Young children can paint or color their pumpkins instead of carving. Or have them draw a face with markers and an adult can do the carving. Use colorful glow sticks inside your Jack-o-lanterns instead of candles to prevent burns.
Tip #5: Decorating? Make it safe for kids to come to your door.
If you’re turning your home into a haunted house, keep safety in mind: make sure steps, sidewalks, porches and paths are well-lit and free of decorations and holiday props. Keep decorations away from fireplaces and candles.
Tip #6: Check the treats.
Don’t let your ghouls and goblins gorge themselves before you inspect the loot. Check their candy for choking hazards like gum and hard candies. Throw away any candy that is not sealed with a wrapper and avoid homemade treats received from strangers.
Tip #7: Use extra caution when driving.
Drivers need to take particular care on this chaotic night. Keep your car parked if you can, but if you have to drive through a neighborhood, take it much slower than normal. Watch for kids who may dart between cars and into the road without looking.
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