TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN SAFETY
Very soon, our streets will be full of little ghosts, elves, goblins, princesses, and witches trick-or-treating for Halloween.
It is always a night of mystery, fun being out after dark, and spooktacular enjoyment. Here are some commonsense practices to help keep everyone’s night safer and fun!
Please Follow These Safety Tips While Trick Or Treating in Our Village:
MOTORISTS:
- Watch out for children darting out from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
- Drive slower than you usually would in residential areas to allow for the additional traffic and walkers.
- Try not to park on the street but rather in a parking lot whenever possible.
PARENTS:
- Ensure that an adult or an older responsible teenager will supervise the outing for children under age 12 if you are not with them.
- Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of all children’s companions. Make a map and note the homes of people your child knows in case they need help.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along the established route.
- Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
- Establish a return time and check-in points along the established route.
- Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home. Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
- Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address, and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
- It can get cold in the North County. While everyone wants a fantastic costume, ensure children are adequately dressed according to the weather.
FACE & COSTUME DESIGN:
- Costume masks can obstruct a child’s vision and breathing. Use facial makeup and special facial glitter instead. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
- Knives, swords, wands, tridents, and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
- Bags or buckets carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
- Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly or consider pinning a glow stick to the back of your child’s costume and on their candy bag/sack to help light the way.
CHILDREN WHILE TRICK-OR-TREATING:
- Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
- Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
- Walk on sidewalks, not in the street and stay in large groups.
- Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
HOMEOWNERS/DECORATORS:
- Keep candles and Jack O’ Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against them and children could trip. Always use glow sticks or battery-operated candles to illuminate a Jack O’ Lantern, never an open flame.
- Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Keep Jack O’ Lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire. Always use glow sticks or battery-operated candles to add, never an open flame.
- Check your walkways to ensure they are not slick or slippery from cold weather.
- Do not leave your house unattended.
Halloween is a fun of year, but let’s make it a safe time as well. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes.