A SAFE HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS

Halloween is always a fun time, or should be.   By taking a few simple steps, you and your
kids can avoid any pitfalls that might accidently or intentionally come your way.

Safe Halloween Costumes for Kids

Before the big night comes, start urging your child to pick out the type of costume they want to wear.   Whether it is homemade or purchased at a costume store, it should be made of
flame-retardant material (or treated with flame retardant), and adorned with
highly reflective strips so that they can be seen in the dark.  Capes, flowing robes and princess gowns should be cut so that they clear the ground in an effort to avoid tripping.  Likewise, avoid long sleeves, pant legs or skirt hems that might catch on something or rub into a candle flame.  Masks should have eye openings large enough to permit full vision.  Your child should
wear a solid shoe rather than mom’s high heels so that they have substantial
footing.   Any costume props, such as swords and knives, should be of soft, flexible materials so no child gets hurt.

A Safe Halloween Route for Your Child

Choose a route that is well lighted, and preferably one that has sidewalks.
If your selected streets have no sidewalks, then be sure kids use the
left-hand side of the street, facing the on-coming traffic.  Kids shouldn’t go into any home or apartment unless they know the residents well.

Take a few minutes to give your ghosts and goblins a little safety briefing.
Make sure they understand that they are to eat nothing until you’ve
inspected it.  Homemade treats, unless you know the homeowner really well, are no-nos.
Sadly, they used to be the best choices on the planet, but too many have been chemically or physically contaminated.  Also be sure your kids know how to stop, drop and roll in case they
should brush against a lighted jack-o-lantern and ignite their costume.

Supervise Halloween Activities for Kids

Arrange your schedule so that you can go trick-or-treating with your kids.
Maybe you can team up with another parent in the neighborhood.  Kids should always be supervised.  There are too many exposures with treat contamination, pedophiles and vehicular traffic to allow kids to go on their own.  You and your kids should carry
flashlights or glow sticks so that you can be readily seen.  While most of us do, it also makes sense to carry a cell phone with you.  Take
special care if you must drive that spooky night because there will be little
ghosts and goblins running around in the dark and most of them will be focused
on candy rather than watching for an on-coming car.

Indoor Halloween parties and trick-or-treating at the mall can also be fun.
They still need your supervision and guidance.

Home Halloween Safety for Kids

While you’re at it, make sure your own home is ready for trick-or-treaters on that dark night.  Be sure to light your porch light and to turn on any lights along your front walk.
Remove any yard materials like hose or lawn decorations so that young
visitors don’t trip, and place jack-o’-lanterns away from the door (or better,
use battery-powered lights) so that kids won’t brush against a candle and set
their costumes afire.  If you use strings of Halloween lights, be sure they have an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, and inspect them for broken sockets and bulbs, frayed wires or other defects.

If pumpkins are to be carved, then let your kids draw faces with a crayon or marker, and then you do the carving.  Always carve on a stable surface with a sharp knife.  Once again,
carved pumpkins are best with battery-powered LED lights.  If candles are to be used, be sure they are out of reach of little goblins and away from curtains or other
combustibles.  Don’t ever leave a candle-lit jack-o’-lantern unattended.

So, make this a happy, safe Halloween for your child by simply providing a safe costume, supervising their trick-or-treat outings and preparing your own home for a safe, spooky night!