Steps For A Safe And Sane Halloween
The National Safety Council offers sage advice for safely celebrating Halloween. According to research, the most common Halloween injuries are caused by falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Children and adults need to think about safety on this annual night of fright, tricks, treats, and make-believe.
When you are driving:
• Be alert for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Carefully enter and exit driveways, alleys, and from between buildings.
• At twilight and later in the evening, keep an eye out for children in dark Halloween costumes.
For Parents This Halloween
If you are walking with your children, you should:
• Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the trick or treating for children under 12.
• Discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Be familiar with the names of older children’s companions.
• Tell your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
• Establish an expected return time.
• Tell youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home and you’ve had a chance to inspect it.
• Review trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• Be extra-careful when around Halloween props and decorations- there may be hidden wires, cables, extension cords that contribute to accidental falls.
• For very young trick-or-treaters, pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group. Put your name and cell phone number on it as well.
Halloween Costume Design
• Use only fire-retardant materials for Halloween costumes.
• Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the number one cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
• If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
Remind children of the following guidelines:
• Do not enter any homes or apartments without adult supervision.
• Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards. (Falls are the most common Halloween injury.)
• Walk on the sidewalk, not in the street.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic when there are no sidewalks.
Have a safe and injury-free Halloween. Trick Or Treat!
