Halloween Safety!

by | Safety | 0 comments

It’s almost Halloween! 

Halloween is one of my all-time favorite holidays. I love all the planning, decorating, and carving… and of course the pumpkin seeds.

But in the excitement over costumes and candies, it’s easy to forget Halloween Safety. 

Whether you’re headed out with the trick-or-treaters or manning the door to pass out candy at your home, we’ve put together some safety reminders:

For trick-or-treating with children:

  1. Make sure all swords, play knives, or similar costume accessories are soft, short, and flexible
  2. Never let children trick-or-treat alone.  Make sure they are walking in groups with a trusted adult.
  3. Map out a safe route with your kids so you know where they will be
  4. Set a designated time for them to return home or check in with you
  5. If you are trick-or-treating with children, make sure you have enough other adults with you to keep a headcount as you go
  6. Fasten reflective tapes to costumes and bags to help drivers see trick-or-treaters – the brighter the costumes, the better!
  7. Attach your child’s name, address, and phone number somewhere inside their costume
  8. Look both ways before crossing the street!
  9. If possible, cross at a crosswalk or a corner. If traveling with a group of trick-or-treaters, have them link hands when crossing
  10. Try to walk on sidewalks as much as possible. If you have to walk along the edge of the road, stay as far to the edge as possible and walk facing traffic
  11. Carry a flashlight with you—and give one to each child–to help you and others see
  12. Encourage kids to walk from house to house, never run
  13. Check to make sure kids are wearing well-fitted masks (or better yet- face paint!), costumes and shoes to avoid tripping or blocking your vision
  14. Check over treats before letting kids start eating them- check to make sure they are still commercially wrapped and not tampered with and that they do not present a choking hazard
  15. Always test make-up in a small area first to check for allergies before applying it to large areas like the face. Be sure to remove all makeup before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation
  16. Remind kids:
    1. Enter homes only if you are with a trusted adult.
    2. Only visit well-lit homes
    3. Never accept rides from strangers
    4. Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be aware of tails, long trains, and other dragging costume accessories when near jack-o-lanterns or other decorations with active flames.
    5. Harmless pranks are often a part of Halloween. Make sure you explain that while you want them to have a good time, some tricks could hurt other people or vandalize property
  17. Provide kids with a substantial, healthy meal to help cut back candy consumption

To prepare your home for trick-or-treaters

  1. Make sure the outside areas of your home, especially the walking area and stairs, are well-lit and free of obstacles
  2. Be sure to turn on all your exterior lights
  3. Keep candle-lit jack-o-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended. Use battery-operated candles in any outdoor or child-accessible decorations
  4. Drive slowly all evening!
  5. Keep pets away from the door so they don’t scare—or get scared by—trick-or-treaters.
  6. Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your local police or sheriff’s department
  7. Make sure you do not pass out candy that is a choking hazard to younger children

Have a Spooky, Scary, and Safe Halloween!

California Casualty
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