Keep Trick or Treaters Safe This Halloween

Check out our tips on how to keep trick or treaters safe this Halloween!

For many kids, Halloween is one of the highlights of their year. “What to be” for Halloween becomes a major topic for the elementary school crowd, and the anticipation builds with pumpkin picking, jack o’ lantern carving and other pre-Halloween pursuits. You want your child to enjoy a fun, safe Halloween. Here are some safety considerations to help ensure your child’s Halloween turns out well and keep trick or treaters safe.

Costume Safety
Commercial Halloween costumes sold in the United States are flame resistant – but that is not synonymous with inflammable. When it comes to the possibility of catching fire, natural fibers such as cotton or wool will burn faster than manmade materials such as polyester or nylon. Glitter is also quite flammable, so don’t use it in excess on a costume.

Avoid costumes that drag on the ground. Not only does it increase the risk of tripping, but such garments may catch fire if your child stands near a lighted jack o’lantern or other fire source. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can easily see with it on. Makeup or face paint is a better option. Some costumes or characters may involve weapons. If that’s the case, check to see the “weapon” is not made of a material that could cause harm to your child or other children.

No matter the costume, have your child wear comfortable shoes. “Princesses” or similar glamorous characters don’t have to wear high heels. Sparkly flats complement the costume, allowing your child to move comfortably and lessen the odds of tripping and falling.

Adult Accompaniment
Kids under the age of 12 should always be accompanied by an adult. The adult doesn’t have to actually go to the door with older children, but should have the kids in view at all times. Never allow your child to go into anyone’s house unaccompanied.

Visibility
Try to take kids out trick-or-treating during daylight hours. If that’s not possible, make sure children are easily visible as darkness falls. Provide each child with a flashlight, and place reflective tape on your children’s costumes and bags so that motorists can see them.

Welcome Houses
Take your kids to the homes of people you know. If the house doesn’t have an outside light on once it gets dark, that’s an indication the inhabitants don’t welcome trick or treaters.

Your Own Property
Keep your own property well-lit and remove any obstacles visitors could trip on. If you have a dog, keep him safely away from the door most likely to welcome trick-or-treaters. Even if he’s friendly, some children are scared of dogs and you also don’t want your pet accidentally escaping during the frequent opening and closing of the door.

Check All the Goodies
Before your child eats any of the treats, take a good look at them. Packaged candy in wrappers is fine, but don’t let your child consume any homemade baked goods unless you know the person who made them. If a piece of candy is unwrapped, throw it out. It’s hard to believe someone may try to harm a child with a treat, but you’re better safe than sorry.

With a few precautions, you can keep your trick or treaters safe and let them enjoy a happy Halloween.

Source
http://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips

https://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/121343/100.pdf