Beware of Halloween hazards
Villains and spooks aren't your biggest dangers on Halloween.
Instead, safety professionals are warning trick-or-treaters of car accidents and costume hazards.
The combination of Friday night and Halloween celebrations this year could mean bigger crowds hitting the streets and a heightened risk for traffic accidents. Pedestrians and drivers are encouraged to proceed with caution.
“Obviously, this is not a school night for kids … so one would expect more children to be outside and more parents to be available; parents need to be relied upon to keep an eye on their children.”
Additionally, seeing how it gets darker earlier and so many kids will be out walking the streets, (drivers) have to be a lot more watchful.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, traffic fatalities among pedestrians between the age of five and 14 are higher on Halloween than any other evening of the year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 44 percent of highway fatalities on Halloween night in 2006 involved a drunk driver.
Children and parents can be more visible with bright colored clothing, flashlights or glow sticks. Be visible, be obvious, and be seen!
Safety Tips for Fright-Free Fun!
Few holidays produce the same burst of energetic excitement as Halloween. Spooky decorations, creepy costumes and visions of candy spur kids – and often the entire family – into an evening of fun-filled frenzy. But hidden dangers can be easily overlooked in the rush to celebrate.
Trick-or-Treating is fun but it is also an important time to practice fire safety. Follow these safety tips to have a happy and safe Halloween:
If you buy your costume, ask an adult to check to see if it has a label that says "Flame Resistant." Flame Resistant means that your costume will be hard to catch on fire and if it does, the fire will go out fast.
If you make your costume, try not to make one that is big and baggy so that the material doesn't touch candles or other flames.
Be sure to stay away from candles and jack-o'-lanterns that may be on steps and porches. If you get too close, your costume could catch fire.
Kids should never carry candles when they are trick-or-treating. Always use a flashlight or glow stick.
Villains and spooks aren't your biggest dangers on Halloween.
Instead, safety professionals are warning trick-or-treaters of car accidents and costume hazards.
The combination of Friday night and Halloween celebrations this year could mean bigger crowds hitting the streets and a heightened risk for traffic accidents. Pedestrians and drivers are encouraged to proceed with caution.
“Obviously, this is not a school night for kids … so one would expect more children to be outside and more parents to be available; parents need to be relied upon to keep an eye on their children.”
Additionally, seeing how it gets darker earlier and so many kids will be out walking the streets, (drivers) have to be a lot more watchful.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, traffic fatalities among pedestrians between the age of five and 14 are higher on Halloween than any other evening of the year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 44 percent of highway fatalities on Halloween night in 2006 involved a drunk driver.
Children and parents can be more visible with bright colored clothing, flashlights or glow sticks. Be visible, be obvious, and be seen!
Safety Tips for Fright-Free Fun!
Few holidays produce the same burst of energetic excitement as Halloween. Spooky decorations, creepy costumes and visions of candy spur kids – and often the entire family – into an evening of fun-filled frenzy. But hidden dangers can be easily overlooked in the rush to celebrate.
Trick-or-Treating is fun but it is also an important time to practice fire safety. Follow these safety tips to have a happy and safe Halloween:
If you buy your costume, ask an adult to check to see if it has a label that says "Flame Resistant." Flame Resistant means that your costume will be hard to catch on fire and if it does, the fire will go out fast.
If you make your costume, try not to make one that is big and baggy so that the material doesn't touch candles or other flames.
Be sure to stay away from candles and jack-o'-lanterns that may be on steps and porches. If you get too close, your costume could catch fire.
Kids should never carry candles when they are trick-or-treating. Always use a flashlight or glow stick.
Remind your family to keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains and other decorations that can catch on fire.
If you see other kids playing with matches or lighters, tell an adult right away!
Before Halloween fun begins, take a moment to check for safety hazards and discuss the evening’s dos and don’ts with the kids. A little precaution can keep a fright-filled evening from becoming a real scare.
Fill ‘em up first: Send trick-or-treaters off with a full tummy so they won’t be as tempted to eat candy before it’s inspected.
Follow safe Trick-or-Treating tactics: Accompany young children at all times and send older kids out in a group with strict route guidelines and curfews – and a charged mobile phone for emergencies. And don’t forget flashlights or glow sticks for everyone, both to see and be seen.
Remember safety basics: Emphasize to kids that Halloween night is no different when it comes to safety. Avoid strangers and dark houses, stay on well-lighted streets on a pre-approved route, and take extra care when crossing streets.
Decorate with the littlest ghouls in mind: Make yard decorations safer for all. Secure electrical cords and strings out of reach, use glow sticks as light sources instead of candles, and make walkways clear and accessible. If creating a particularly scary haunted yard, consider including a less-scary area for younger trick-or-treaters.
Costume for comfort and safety: Dress kids in costumes that are temperature-appropriate, allow free range of vision and movement, and are easily seen in the dark. Accessories from swords and knives to fairy wands should be safely blunted and flexible to prevent injury.
Carve a safer Jack o’Lantern: Let little ones scoop the insides of the pumpkin and draw the face – always the best designs – but leave the carving to adults or older kids. Create a safer spooky light using glow sticks in two or three colors instead of candles.
Check all candy before eating: Inspect candy before allowing kids to eat. Discard candy with broken wrappers, that can be opened and resealed, or appears tampered with in any way. When handing out candy, include toddler-friendly goodies like lollipops, single-serving cookies or animal crackers in the candy bowl.
Keep pets inside all night: It’s safer and less stressful for pets, pet owners and visitors.
Prepare for unexpected scares: Assemble a portable first aid kit to treat minor scrapes, burns and cuts, and include medications for asthma or allergies.
Have a get-home plan: Whether trick-or-treating, attending a party, or stopping by the neighborhood carnival, have a plan that works for everyone in case of separation. Identify a location to go if separated from the group, and attach parents’ names, address and phone numbers to younger kids’ clothing.
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