BRIDGEPORT—Halloween should be fun and scary, not dangerous and scary. Twice as many kids are hit by a car while walking on Halloween as on any other day of the year. Teens, too, face at least as much danger as their smaller costumed princess and superhero counterparts. However, dressing appropriately for trick-or-treating and carefully planning your evening can increase the likelihood of a fun, frightful and injury-free Halloween.
Before trick-or-treating, talk to children and teens about these safety procedures:
- Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult
- Remind solo-going tweens and teens to put away their phones and keep their eyes on their path
- Travel only in familiar, well-lit areas
- Never enter a stranger’s home
- Agree on a specific time to return home
- Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to help see and be seen
- Review pedestrian and traffic safety rules
When making or purchasing Halloween costumes for your little goblins, follow these safety precautions to ensure they remain safe while looking great:
- All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
- Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags for better nighttime visibility
- Halloween makeup should be non-toxic
- Non-toxic makeup or decorative hats are safer than masks, which can limit or block eyesight
- Wear good-fitting costumes and shoes to avoid trips and falls
After trick or treating, stay ahead of the scary candy consumption before they can say boo:
- Sort through your kid’s treat before they start eating to ensure all treats are safe.
- For younger kids, beware of certain goodies that can be choking hazards
- Throw away any candy that is already opened or partially opened
- Beware of allergies (nuts especially)
Taking these common-sense precautions will ensure Halloween Night is sufficiently spooky but safe for all.
(For more information on Halloween safety, visit the National Safety Council’s website at www.nsc.org.)
By: Bill Schietinger; Bill Schietinger is the Regional Director for New Haven and Bridgeport, CT for American Medical Response.
