Follow
These Halloween Safety Tips
Make
this year's ghoulish gatherings safe and memorable!
Dressing up in costumes … trick or
treating in the neighborhood … festooning the house with “scary” decorations …
these are a few reasons why millions of Americans love Halloween. Last year
seven in 10 Americans planned to celebrate Halloween and spend a whopping $8
billion on the popular holiday, according to the National Retail Federation.
However, parents’ concerns about
Halloween are widespread. In a 2011 survey commissioned by Safe Kids Worldwide,
77 percent of respondents expressed concerns about being hit by vehicles,
poisoning, abductions and more.
Promote safety this Halloween by
following these suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Treats
- Examine treats for choking hazards and tampering.
- Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Throw away spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
- Though tampering is rare, avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
- Encourage good nutritional habits; consider rationing sweets in the days following Halloween.
- For parties, provide kids healthier treats and drinks.
Costumes
- Wear bright, reflective costumes. Look for labeling indicating they’re flame-resistant.
- Add reflective tape to costumes, accessories and treat bags.
- Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and hats that fit properly and don’t slide over eyes.
- Make sure shoes fit well, and that costumes don’t cause tripping, entanglement or contact with flames.
- Accessories like swords or knives should be short, soft, flexible and not sharp.
Trick-or-Treating
- Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups, or with a trusted adult. If older children are going alone, plan and review the route, and agree on a specific time they should return.
- Remain on well-lit streets, and look both ways before crossing.
- Always use sidewalks, and if none are available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- Never walk near lit candles or luminaries.
- Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Visit well-lit homes, and don’t stop at dark houses.
- Never accept rides from strangers.
Treat Providers
- Remove items on the porch or in the yard that could cause visitors to trip and fall.
- Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
- Remove wet leaves or snow from sidewalks and steps.
- Keep pets away so they don’t jump on or bite trick-or-treaters.