Halloween
Children dressed in costumes. Treat-or-treaters going door to door. Glowing jack-o-lanterns. Spooky festivities are a joy! Remember these tips to ensure a fun-filled Halloween.
Decorations
- Use a battery-operated candle in jack-o-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use caution. Tell children to stay away from open flames.
- Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
- Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
Costume Safety
- When shopping for costumes & accessories, purchase flame-resistant items.
- Choose costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure shoes fit well and those costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.
- Consider adding reflective tape to trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
- Make sure eye holes are large enough to see out of. Hats should fit properly to prevent sliding over the eyes.
- Remove any makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Out & About
- Bring flashlights or glow sticks to light your path!
- Have an adult accompany young children while they trick-or-treat.
- Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
- Wait until children are home to sort, check, and eat treats.
Motorists
Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility is a top factor in these incidents.
- Watch for children walking on roadways.
- Enter and exit streets, driveways, and alleys carefully.
- Watch for children in dark clothing.