Make sure your Halloween stays happy by following these Halloween safety tips, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Halloween Safety Tips for Costumes
- Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
- Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
- Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
- When shopping for costumes, wigs, and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
- If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
- To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over (such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations).
- Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
- Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.
- Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
- A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
- If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
- Make sure kids stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
- Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
- If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- Never cut across yards or use alleys.
- Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
- Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
- Notify law enforcement authorities of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
