Halloween Safety

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Menstuff® has compiled information on Halloween Safety.

Halloween Safety Tips
More Halloween Safety Tips
Lucky 13 Tricks for a Safe Halloween Treat

 Halloween Safety Tips

Basic Tips

• Carry a flashlight
• Walk, don't run
• Stay on sidewalks
• Obey traffic signals
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods
• Don't cut across yards or driveways
• No sidewalk? Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
• Approach only houses that are lit.

Costume Tips...

• If you buy a costume, look for on made of flame retardant material
• Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape
• Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props

Parents...

• Make your child eat dinner before setting out
• Children should carry quarters so they can call home
• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home
• You should know where they are going
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the treats home to be inspected before consuming anything.
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect

Homeowners...

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and lower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame
• If you do us candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle
• Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later
• Nonfood treats:  plastic rings, stickers, erasers, coins

Drivers...

• Go slow, slow, slow all evening
• Adult Halloween partiers should have a designated driver.

Halloween pumpkin carving web sites: www.thepumpkinfarm.com/carvemenu.html or www.everythinghalloween.com or www.pumpkinmasters.com

Lucky 13 Tricks for a Safe Halloween Treat

2. Wear light-colored or reflective type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)

3. Use face paint rather than masks or thing that will cover your eyes.

4. Cross the street only at corners.

5. Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low flying brooms.

6. Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.

7. Walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks; not in the street.

8. Carry a flashlight to light your way.

9. Visit homes that have the porch light on.

10. Be cautious of strangers and animals.

11. Keep away from open fires and candles. "Costumes can be extremely flammable.)

12. Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.

13. Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating them. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

Source: American Red Cross 

More Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Los Angeles Fire Department.

All Dressed Up:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase only those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone.
• Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

Carving a Niche:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting. Under parents' supervision, children ages 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.
• Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
• Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

Home Safe Home:

• To keep their home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects.
• Plan and review with your children the route which is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
• Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins for non-emergency phone calls.
• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

Healthy Halloween:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to portion treats for the days following Halloween.
• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

When Trick-or-Treating:

A Parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Remind Trick-or Treaters:

• By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
• Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
• Always walk. Never run across a street.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).
• Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity

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