Halloween is typically associated with lots of fun things to do like trick or treating, parties, pumpkin carving, and eating candy, but there are some potential dangers families should consider. When planning your festivities this year, keep these Halloween safety tips in mind:
- Don’t keep candles burning in Jack-o’-lanterns or luminaries. Consider using battery-operated flames.
- Opt for a safer pumpkin “carving” by painting a pumpkin or decorating with stickers, since tools are difficult for “little” hands.
- Look for flame-resistant costumes, wigs, and accessories. Ensure your costume is the proper length and fit to avoid tripping and falling.
- If applying face paint, avoid the eyes and test for skin allergies before using it.
- Use a flashlight, LED light, or apply reflective tape to your costume so you are seen by others, including cars.
- If you wear a mask, test for visibility out of the eye holes and proper breathability.
- If your costume requires a sword or weapon, do not swing it around and keep the pointed part away from yourself and others and make sure it cannot hurt anyone.
Top 4 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids:
- Do not allow your children to go inside a home to accept candy, unless you accompany them.
- Inspect candy before eating. Check the contents of their bags and buckets for choking hazards and make sure candy is properly sealed (throw away anything that’s been opened or is not packaged). Wait until you get home to indulge so you can properly inspect each item.
- Have an allergy-safe Halloween. Review each label for any potentially harmful ingredients like peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or gluten.
- Brush your teeth before bed to get rid of excess sugar eaten.
Halloween Safety Tips for Adults:
- Lock your home doors, so your valuables are safe while you’re out.
- Ensure your pets are secure in the house if passing out treats to kids.
- Stay in neighborhoods that are familiar to you.
- Go out with other family or other people you know.
- Start early and don’t stay out late. Observe the time recommendations for your neighborhood.
- Tell your kids to walk and not run. Since it is dark, it’s hard to see people when driving. Look both ways before crossing the street at the corners or crosswalks, and walk on sidewalks, if available.
- Plan your route ahead of time to stay on the same side of the street (versus zigzagging back and forth).
- Keep kids in sight at all times and stay together with your group. Have a designated meeting spot in case you get split up.
- Only approach homes that have a porch light on (or are obviously accepting trick or treaters).
- Wear shoes that are easy to walk in (e.g., sneakers instead of boots with heels).
- If inclement weather is in the forecast, dress appropriately or consider staying home.
- Hand out individually wrapped candy/treats to prevent the spread of germs.
It seems to me less children are actually going “door to door” trick or treating. If you chose to do something “different” for your children, here are a few ideas:
- Host a Halloween party. Invite some of your children’s neighborhood, school friends, or relatives to a party at your house.
- Movie night – Watch a scary movie together. Maybe someone in your neighborhood has a projector and would host an outdoor movie night?
- Halloween trunk or treat parade – Coordinate with your neighbors to have the kids dress up and have a parade.
- Yard decoration contest – Organize with your neighbors and compete and vote on who has the scariest house.
- Spooky scavenger hunt – Hide Halloween-themed items in the yard for the family or come up with a neighborhood hunt to various “haunted” spots to get info that leads to a prize!
References:
- www.safesmartliving.com/halloween-safety-tips, Sadie Cornelius / September 27, 2022