Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to be extra vigilant for possible safety hazards so that your children have a fun and safe Halloween. Some tips to make Halloween safe include:
Costume safety
- choose a costume made of flame retardant material
- costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause your child to trip and fall,
- for good visibility, add some reflective tape to the costume or bag he is using to carry candy or make/choose a costume made of bright material that is visible in the dark
- masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well and not hinder visibility
- if using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic
- knives, swords and other props should be made of a flexible material, so that they don't pose a hazard if fallen on
Trick-or-Treating Safety
- children should be well supervised by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.
- carry a flashlight
- stick to well lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only
- follow traffic signals and rules of the road
- drive slowly
- avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys. Stick to the sidewalks of well lit streets
Candy Safety
- instruct your children to bring all candy home before eating it so that you can carefully inspect it for tampering. Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating, before parents have a chance to inspect the goodies. To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go -- don't send them out on an empty stomach.
- Tell children not to accept -- and, especially, not to eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
- Throw out candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or if they appear to have been tampered with (pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, etc.)
- Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
- Wash all fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect it for holes, including small punctures, and cut it open before allowing children to eat it.
General Safety Tips
- homeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well
- provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers, pencils, pens and erasers.
- artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard
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