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.