Ghosts, witches and goblins... oh my!
Halloween is a fun time for youngsters; however when combined with costumes, the weather, and darkness, the excitement of the night can pose danger to our little ones.
While we can't control the weather or the darkness, there are a few things we can all do to keep Halloween harmless:
Costumes
Ensure footwear and costumes fit properly, and provide appropriate protection against weather conditions. - Ensure costumes aren’t a tripping hazard.
- Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags. This ensures your child is visible in the dark.
- Choose costumes, beards and wigs labeled "Flame-Resistant".
- Choose face paint or make-up instead of a mask that can interfere with your child’s vision.
- If your child is wearing a mask or a head piece, ensure he/she can see clearly from the front and both sides, and that it doesn’t interfere with your child’s breathing.
- Never allow your child to carry a sharp or dangerous costume prop, such as a knife or sword.
Trick-or-treating
Children should trick-or-treat in groups, and should never trick-or-treat alone. - Accompany your child until you feel comfortable that he or she is old enough to go without parental supervision.
- Remind your child that the same safe road rules apply when trick-or-treating as they do any other night: always walk on sidewalks, and cross the street at crosswalks or street corners only.
- Teach your child to trick-or-treat in well-lit areas, and to only visit homes that have outside lights turned on.
- Pack a flashlight in your child’s trick-or-treat bag.
- Remind your child never to go inside a stranger’s home or car.
- Before your child digs into his or her treat bag, be sure to inspect all goodies.
- Discard all candy that has a loose, broken, or open wrapper.
- Discard homemade candy or baked goods provided by people you don't know.
- Wash all fruit, and cut it into pieces to inspect it before eating.
Jack-o-Lanterns
Children should never be left to carve a jack-o-lantern unsupervised. Adults should be in charge of all carving activities. - Children can be involved by drawing the face on the pumpkin and by cleaning the inside.
- Alternatively, consider painting or drawing the face on the jack-o-lantern, instead of carving.
- Adults should be responsible for the lighting of any candles used inside the jack-o-lantern.
- Don't allow children to play near jack-o-lanterns with candles burning.
- Keep lit jack-o-lanterns out of the way of trick-or-treaters.
Around the neighborhood
- Drive slowly, especially in residential areas. Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters.
- Remove hazardous obstacles in your yard, and watch for them in the yards of
