Halloween Safety

Halloween—a time not only for magic, mystery and munchies, but also for increased risk of injury to children. Don't allow fear to take the fun out of the holiday! By taking some precautions you can prepare your children for a safe and happy Halloween.

As a Parent, you can learn a lot about Halloween safety: [ Halloween for Parents article ]
Your kids can learn a lot about Halloween safety, too: [ Halloween for Kids article ]

Prevention

Follow these tips for a safe and scary good time:

• Consider holding a supervised home party instead of having your children go trick-or-treating door to door.
• Make sure costumes and accessories are labeled "flame resistant." Avoid flimsy, baggy outfits that could come into contact with an open flame.
• Use face paint or cosmetics instead of loose-fitting masks, which can obstruct vision. Make sure hats and shoes fit properly.
• Give trick-or-treaters flashlights. Make sure costumes are bright, and decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape.
• Teach your children their phone number and give them change for a phone call.
• Show your children a pre-established route to homes they know and set up a time for them to return home. Restrict trick-or-treat visits only to homes with illuminated outside lighting.
• Remind your children to stay on the sidewalks and to avoid cutting across yards, where obstacles may lurk.
• Instruct your children to stop at all corners and to look left-right-left before crossing.
• Make sure your children know to never dart into the street from between parked cars and to always exit and enter cars on the curb side.
• Examine Halloween treats before your children eat them.

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