|
Halloween is a fun time of year for kids to don costumes, tell jokes, eat lots of candy and scare themselves and their friends with their silly costumes. Parents want their kids to have fun also but above all else, to be safe.
The following Halloween safety tips are recommended by parents, physicians, police and fire departments. Follow these simple but important tips, and rest easy knowing your children will have a fun and safe Halloween holiday.
1. Choose a costume made with flame-retardant materials.
Many costumes are not flame-retardant, but a close look at the tag found on the inside seam of the costume will tell you whether it is or isn't.
2. Take a flashlight with fresh batteries.
A flashlight will help guide your child's way even if there are street lights in your neighborhood. Glow sticks are also popular and come in lots of different glowing colors. They're very popular with kids. Reflective tape added to your child's costume, shoes or flashlight is also a wonderful idea.
3. Consider using make-up instead of masks in addition to your child's costume.
Masks are hard to see out of and that's a safety issue when they're crossing the street. Special Halloween make-up kits are widely available.
4. Tell your children not to eat any of their treats until they come home so you can inspect each and every piece.
Home-made items should be thrown out. Gum, peanuts or hard candy should not be given to children under five because they are a choking hazard.
5. Children should stay on sidewalks.
Tell your children to walk on the sidewalks and stay out of the street whenever possible. If it is not possible, they should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. They should know how to obey all traffic signals. Also, tell them not to cut through yards and driveways.
6. Walk, don't run.
Walking is safer, and by not running children will be able to observe traffic more easily and each other.
7. Stay in groups and/or with parent.
Small children should remain with their parents, and older children should stay in their group in familiar neighborhoods only.
8. Know stop, drop and roll, and how to dial 911.
Children should know how to stop, drop and roll in case clothing catches on fire. Also, they should know how to dial 911 in case of any other emergency.
9. Provide your child with emergency identification.
Place your child's name, telephone number and address somewhere on their costume, clothing, or a piece of paper in their pocket.
10. Approach lit houses only.
Houses that are ready to receive Halloween trick-or-treaters should have their porch light on and/or a pumpkin lit up by the door. Never approach a house without its lights on.
| 
