Halloween Safety Tips

Children and adults enjoy the different activities like trick-or-treating, going to Halloween costume parties, creative decorating, pumpkin carving to make jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires etc. Each of these activities may trigger different scenarios that are potential risks for the participants, even when thoroughly planned. Below is assembled a few safety tips for handling different situations.

Tips For Children:

• Always be with a parent or a responsible adult when going for trick-or-treating and never enter a house or car for a treat. Visit houses only where the porch light is ON.
• Carry flash lights and stay in a group.
• Never cross the street on your own and use only crosswalks or sidewalks. Do not engage in any sport while on the road. Ba attentive to the group’s escorts’ instruction at all time.
• Skip masks to avoid breathing or vision hazards. As safer alternatives, use previously tested non-toxic makeup (like face paints) and decorative hats that fit properly and does not slide over kids’ eyes.
• Remember how to call 9-1-1 (or the local emergency number) in case of any emergency.
• Do not engage in any destructive activities on Halloween. It’s never cool to get locked up by your parents or the police on the special evening.

Tips For Parents:

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If any weapons are a part of the costume, make sure it is not metallic, sharp or long enough to cause tripping problems. Ensure the costumes, wigs and accessories are definitely flame resistant, while purchasing them.
• Decide routes and other details of the trick-or-treat trips in advance and stick to the plan as much as possible. If the kids are old enough to be on their own in Halloween, make sure that their planned route is really acceptable to you. Communicate and mutually agree on a specific time by when they are to return home.
• Never let small children curve a pumpkin. Let them draw the outlines on it with a marker so that the parents can curve along the lines. Be careful of possible fire hazards while lighting and setting up the curved pumpkins.
• Carefully make your porch, driveway, front yard clear of anything that a visiting child may trip over. Shovel snow, restrain pets and keep the place well-lit to avoid accidents.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Sort your child’s treats at night to identify and remove any tampered goodies.

Generic Safety Tips:

• 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. Add reflective tapes to costumes and Trick-or-treat bags.
• Be careful about liquor consumption in parties. Choose your drinks responsibly.
• Always cooperate with legal authorities in case of any accident.
• Drive with extra caution on this evening. Stay alert for children on the road. Their costumes may make it extra difficult to notice them in dark.
• Do not participate or encourage any activities to hurt another person or animal supposing it as a Halloween trick. It is illegal and strictly unethical.

Everyone naturally wants to ensure a happy and safe Halloween for themselves, the guests and most importantly for their children. Adhering to the above safety tips and using some common sense may make the most of the Halloween festivities for everyone, while keeping it as memorable for your kids as relaxing for you too.

Have A Happy Halloween From The Hardenbergh Insurance Group Family.