Halloween Safety


Halloween is a very exciting time for kids and parents alike.  However, it is also a time when children are leaving the safety of the home and going into unpredictable environments.  They are often excited about trick-or-treating and often do not think about safety.  Before children go out into the streets, make sure you run through several safety precautions with them.  Follow these safety tips to ensure your Halloween is safe and enjoyable for you and your children:   

For Parents:

Before Halloween:
  • Ensure children's costumes are fire resistant- check for fire resistant labels
  • Costumes should not have long sleeves or capes- they may catch fire
  • Tell children that if their clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL
    • Try practicing with the kids
  • Put reflective tape on children's costumes so it is visible to motorists
    • Reflective tape can be bought in bicycle, hardware, or sporting goods stores
  • If you have no reflective tape, tell children to carry glow-sticks or a flashlight
    • Buy new batteries for flashlights so the glow is brighter
    • Glow sticks can be bought in most dollar stores
  • Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to avoid tripping and falling
  • Ensure that the costumes are short to prevent tripping, entangling, or contact with flames
  • If child can't see through their costume mask, cut bigger holes around eye pieces
  • Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) within Halloween costume or on a bracelet

For Homeowners:
  • Eliminate tripping hazards (low tree limbs, garden hoses) on your porch or walkway for trick-or-treaters
  • Consider fire safety when decorating.  Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects.
  • Battery powered Jack O' Lanterns are better to use than real flame ones
  • Keep Jack O' Lanterns or other fire sources away from drapes, decorations, or areas where children will be standing or walking.
  • If kids want to help with pumpkin carving, let them draw the face and YOU carve it out.  DO NOT let them use the knife
  • Keep pets away from trick-or-treaters- they may bite children
  • Remind all the drivers in the house to drive slowly and carefully

For Children:
  • Eat a well balanced meal before trick-or-treating to prevent filling up on candy
  • Make sure a parent or responsible adult goes with you when you go trick-or-treating
  • Stay with the adult who is leading the group at all times
  • Follow the rules of the road
  • When crossing the street- stop at the curb or end of the street, look left, then right, then left again, and then cross when there are no moving cars on the road
  • Kids ten yeas old or younger should always cross the street with an adult
  • Return home on the time you have talked about with your parents.  If you are going to be late, call and let them know
  • If going with a group of friends, always decide on the route you will be going to
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on
  • Trick-or-treat at houses you know
  • Stay on well-lit streets
  • Always walk on the sidewalk
  • If there is no sidewalk, walk on the farthest edge of the roadway facing the cars
  • Never use alleyways
  • Never enter a stranger's home or a stranger's car
  • Always walk.  Never run across a street
  • Only cross the street when there is a crosswalk
  • Tie hats and scarves securely so they don't cover eyes
  • If you are wearing a mask, make sure you can see and hear out of it
  • Have grown ups check your candy before eating it