18 tips for staying safe on Halloween
Halloween is here again! Halloween safety seems like common sense, but each year children and adults get injured or cause injuries to others.
Don’t end up a statistic this year. Here are 18 tips for staying safe on Halloween:
For drivers
1. Drive slowly: Children never listen to their parents on Halloween. Watch carefully for children darting across the street.
2. Concentrate on the road: Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the decorations and costumes. Watch for children.
For homeowners
3. Keep the path to your front door clear: No one wants to deal with the aftermath of a child who’s injured himself on your property.
4. Keep pets away from the door: Putting pets in the bedroom is a great way to stop them from rushing to the front door all night and possibly escaping.
For Parents
5. Take a picture of your child before he goes out: Even if you’re accompanying him, there’s still a chance of him getting lost. A recent photo, in costume, can help police find your child. This is essential for staying safe on Halloween.
6. Check your child’s candy: The days of tampered candy are hopefully behind us, but it’s always a good idea to be sure the candy is safe. Only allow your child to eat individually wrapped treats and nothing homemade.
7. Label your child: Give him a card or put a sticker on his costume in case he gets separated from the group and he needs to call you.
For Children
8. Don’t go into houses: As tempting as it may be, don’t go into strangers’ houses.
9. Don’t get into cars: The same rule applies to cars. Stay with your adult or friends.
10. Go trick-or-treating with an adult or tell an adult where you plan to go: Having an adult is mandatory usually under the age of 12. If you’re going without an adult, tell your parents your route in case you get lost.
11. Carry a flashlight and use it: Generally you should stay in well-lit areas use a flashlight where necessary to light your way and stay safe.
12. Reflective tape: Reflective tape on costumes and candy bags helps drivers see you and avoid you.
13. Wear gym shoes: Unfashionable as they are, wearing gym shoes stops you from getting achy feet and stops you from tripping. Just remember to double-tie those laces.
14. Avoid masks: Masks are cool but being able to see and breathe properly is much cooler.
15. Be a good pedestrian: Remember the rules of the road – cross at crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers and stick to the side of the road or to the sidewalk.
16. Don’t eat and walk: A bag of candy and you can’t even eat it? It sounds terrible but eating while you walk is a huge distraction and choking hazard. Pay attention to where you’re going and if you want to eat some candy stop on the sidewalk and eat it carefully.
17. Flame resistant costumes: Jack-o-lanterns are secret killers if your costume or wig gets too close.
18. Stay in a group: Spend time with your friends or parents this Halloween. Staying in a group also minimizes your chances of getting lost.
Halloween is the best holiday. Parents get to see their kids dressed up like witches and superheroes and kids get to dress up and eat candy. However, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun and neglect your safety. Let’s all commit to staying safe on Halloween this year.