Halloween

It’s almost time for the scariest holiday of the year: Halloween, which is full of carved pumpkins, scary monsters, and delicious candy. This holiday isn’t only fun for kids who get to go trick-or-treating in their favorite costume, but it’s also entertaining for adults who pass out candy and trick-or-treat with their kids. But the fun-filled evening can quickly turn from a treat to a trick when safety isn’t a top priority. Follow these safety tips below to ensure that your child will come home trick free this Halloween.

Call Home:

-If your kids are going out to trick or treat with a group of friends, make sure that they carry a cell phone with them in case of an emergency.

– All kids need to know their home phone numbers and how to dial 911 before leaving the house.

Costume Safety

     – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises everyone to wear costumes made of flame-resistant materials.

     – If your costume is hand-made, consider using fabrics such as nylon and polyester, or treat the costume with a non-toxic fire-retardant spray.

     –Costumes should be well fit and easy to move around in. Make sure that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping and sturdy shoes with well-tied laces are available.

     –Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

     –Instead of using masks that can blur vision, consider using non-toxic makeup. If the costume needs a mask, make sure the eye openings are large enough to see.

     –Attach reflective tape to costumes and bags so other drivers can see you.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

-To stay safe, trick-or-treat with your family or friends

-Visit only houses that have the lights on, and best of all, only visit the homes of people that you know.

-Don’t go into houses and never accept rides from strangers.

-Walk (never run) from house to house to keep safe from cars and other obstacles that blend in the dark.

-Carry a flashlight to see others and help others see you.

-Tell your kids to stay on sidewalks, use cross walks, and look both ways before crossing.

Candy Safety

-Eat only factory-wrapped treats and avoid eating homemade treats.

-Don’t let your kids eat any candy without inspecting the loot.

-Check for any signs of tampering, which could include either poisoning or inserting unsafe objects in the candy.

-Toss any candy with a torn wrapper.

-If your kid has allergies, check the ingredients in all treats.

Decoration Safety

-Keep your house well light and free from obstacles to ensure safety for trick-or-treaters

-Remove stray objects, such as flower pots and hoses that kids might trip over when trick-or-treating.

-Instead of lighting candles, which could be a potential fire hazard, choose battery-powered lanterns.

-The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that all decorative lights should carry the UL safety label. If the label is worn or torn, replace it.