Halloween is one of the times in the year children look forward to having lots of fun; however, to make sure that the jovial mood continues throughout the celebration, some Halloween Safety Tips needs to be in place.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 3,500 Halloween-related injuries happened in 2013. Burns, lacerations from carving pumpkins, falls from poorly fitted costumes, and collisions as the result of impaired vision topped the list.
It is a good idea to consider these areas…
Costumes –
- Make sure that children are wearing costumes that fit. Ill-fitting clothing can cause them to be distracted by trying to adjust their garments and not pay attention to cars that might be in the vicinity.
- Wearing accessories such as high heels should be avoided. Dressing them in comfortable and sturdy shoes can lower the chances of kids experience terrible falls.
- A mask can block a little ones view, it would be best to invest in some non-toxic face paint to decorate your children’s face.
- Use reflective tape on the front and back of your child’s costume, and trick or treating container, so motorist can see them in the dark.
Treats –
- Make sure your kids have something to eat before they leave the house to go treat or treating. This can help them to withstand the temptation of sampling treats before they are inspected.
- Bobbing for apples is a popular game at Halloween parties, washing the fruit with a special fruit and veggie wash can help reduce bacteria that may be present. Using a brush on the fruit is ideal.
- Anything that looks as though it has been tampered with should be tossed. Suspicious items could include tears in candy wrappers, pinholes and anything with a questionable appearance. Remember; if in doubt, throw it out!
- For young kids, be sure to remove any treats that could result in accidental choking. This would include jawbreakers, gum balls, and toys pieces.
Decorations –
- Do not let children carve pumpkins for decorations. Instead let the kids draw faces on pumpkins by using markers, glitter, glue and other kid-friendly art supplies, this type of activity is much safer and lowers the risk of physical injury.
- To light up the interior of jack-a-lanterns, it would be wise to use battery-operated lights or glow sticks to keep little ones from being burned.
- For Halloween yard decorations, make sure to use laboratory tested electrical cords, so they will not pose a problem if it rains. Do not overcharge extension cords. To keep hazards from occurring, the whole area involving the display should be well lit.
Going from door to door –
- If you cannot go with your kids, have a responsible older teenager or another adult to accompany them. Make sure you encourage them to take a cell phone so they can call you in case of an emergency.
- Have a definite route planned, so the children will know where to go and which houses, if applicable, should be avoided.
- When using a vehicle, be sure that the kids exit and enter from the passenger side, only.
- Children should cross the street at the end of the block, instead of zigzagging to get treats.
- A flashlight is invaluable for detecting any potential problems such as obstacles in people’s yards, stray pets, potholes, cracks in sidewalk, etc…
These are just a few suggestions to help you and your kids have a safe and Happy Halloween.
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