As families suit-up for Halloween festivities, we urge parents and children to keep safety a priority during trick-or-treating and costume events. Halloween can be filled with spooky fun and chilling excitement, but it’s also important to be aware of scary safety hazards. With a few simple precautions, everyone can enjoy the season without any frightful accidents.
Consider these important Halloween safety tips to ensure a safe and spooky celebration:
Costume Safety
• Use face paint instead of masks. Masks can obstruct vision, making it hard for children to see.
• Choose bright or reflective costumes. Use reflective tap or glow sticks to help make sure children are visible.
• Ensure costumes are flame-resistant. Keep costumes, wigs and accessories away from open flames, including candles and jack-o-lanterns.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
• Have adult supervision. Children under the age of 12 should always be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating.
• Use sidewalks and crosswalks. If possible, stick to well-lit areas and use crosswalks when crossing streets.
• Stay in groups. If children are trick-or-treating with friends, encourage them to stay together and never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
• Check treats. Parents should inspect all candy before children consume it, discarding anything that looks suspicious, unwrapped or homemade by someone they don’t know.
Home Safety
• Light up the night. Ensure your porch, walkway and yard are well-lit to prevent accidents for trick-or-treaters.
• Clear walkways of hazards. Remove anything that could cause trips or falls, such as toys, hoses and decorations.
• Use battery-operated candles. Instead of open-flame candles in pumpkins or decorations, opt for battery-powered alternatives to reduce the risk of fire.
Driving Safety
• Slow down. Be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present.
• Stay alert. Watch for children crossing streets or walking on roads where sidewalks are not available.
• Avoid distractions. Put away phones and other distractions to stay focused on the road.
