Skip to main content

GreaterUpperValley.com

Child Safety Tips: Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween

Oct 16, 2012 05:00PM ● By Erin Frisch

Child Safety Tips: Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween

 

With the end of October approaching, Halloween and trick-or-treating are nearly upon us. When it comes to preventing injury and keeping your kids safe on Halloween, repeated and consistent teaching is the key to a happy holiday. Parents may be placing their children at risk by not talking to them about safety. While they’ve likely heard the drill before, it pays to repeat it every year. This month, take the time to review safe behaviors with your kids before they head out trick-or-treating. Follow these tips and you and your little ghosts and goblins will have a stress-free, fun-filled Halloween!

Street Smarts

  • Always walk on sidewalks or paths if possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing oncoming traffic, as far to the left as possible.
  • Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks where available. Remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
  •  Look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don't run, across the street.
  • Children who are younger than 12 years old should not be allowed to go trick-or-treating by themselves. And no youngster should ever trick or treat alone.
  • Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.
Costumes
  • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers, and choose light-colored costumes to improve visibility.
  • Check the flame-resistance safety rating of any costume before you purchase it, as well as any material you buy if you plan to make costumes.
  • Choose face paint and makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup. Always test face paint first to make sure it doesn’t irritate tender skin or trigger allergies.
  • Avoid letting your child carry sticks, swords, or other sharp objects. If absolutely necessary, ensure that props are flexible enough not to cause injury. Teach kids not to point these directly at other people.
Treats
  • Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.
  • Children should not eat homemade treats made by strangers.
  • If your kids are young, examine treats for choking hazards.
At Home
  • Never leave candles burning unattended, and keep jack-o’-lanterns away from curtains.
  • Consider using LED lights, electric candles, or glow sticks in pumpkins instead of real candles.
  • Be careful with children and their costumes around fire or other heat sources.
  • If you are having a party at your home, show children before the fun begins how they should leave the house in an emergency and where they should meet outside.
  • If your children are going to a party at someone else’s home, encourage them to look for ways out and plan how they would get out in emergency.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Image's free newsletter to catch every headline