Halloween Safety Tips
Jack O'Lanterns
- Only an adult should do the actual carving; children can draw a face and scoop out the pumpkin.
- Only an adult should light the candle in the pumpkin.
- Make sure the candle is stable (won't tip over).
- Make sure the candle won't burn the pumpkin.
- Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighborhood dogs, who can be startled by children they know in unfamiliar costumes.
- No child should go trick or treating alone.
- Make sure young children are accompanied by an adult; older children should go in groups.
- Allow children to go trick or treating early but avoid the evening rush hour. It's harder for motorists to see clearly during twilight than any other time of day.
- Give children specific neighborhood boundaries for trick-or-treating.
- Set a curfew for your children and be firm about it.
- Have children wear light colored or reflective clothing.
- Remind children to walk on sidewalks and be cautious when crossing streets.
- Tell children to go only to homes and neighbors they know and only to houses with lights on.
- Tell children to turn down all invitations to enter homes. Period.
- Put strips of reflective tape on the front and back of costumes to make them more visible to drivers.
- Give children flashlights to carry, never candles.
- Make sure all facepaints, glues, and glitters are nontoxic. Be aware of children's allergic reactions to these products.
- Don't allow children to wear costumes that drag and could make them trip.
- Don't allow children to carry sharp objects.
- Check labels to see that all costumes and accessories are flame resistant.
- Make sure children can see well and breathe easily through masks.
- Warn children not to eat any treats before returning home (a filling dinner helps out).
- Throw away any homemade treats or any treats with torn or unsealed wrapping.
- Wash all fruit and cut it open to check for foreign objects before eating.
