Here are some suggestions from ACH Injury Prevention Center to help your trick-or-treaters have a fun and injury-free Halloween...
Costume safety:
- Costumes should be brightly colored and made of flame-retardant fabric
- Be careful around candles and luminaries
- Avoid costumes that drag the ground and cause a tripping hazard
- Make sure that shoes fit properly to avoid tripping
- Use reflective tape on costumes or provide children with flashlights, glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark bracelets so cars can see them;
- Masks should not obscure the child’s vision
- Face paint is a good option, but be careful to avoid skin and eye irritation
- Carry only flexible “weapons” (knives, swords and other props)
- Have your child carry some form of I.D. with emergency contact information.
- Select a predetermined route for your children
- Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods and visit only houses that are lighted
- Instruct children to never enter the home of a stranger
- Children should trick or treat in groups and be accompanied by a responsible adult or older sibling
- If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic
- Watch for oncoming traffic when crossing a street to visit the next house
- Remain on well-lighted streets.
- Instruct children to bring candy home to be inspected before they eat it
- Dispose of any loosely wrapped or unwrapped items, or those that have any suspicious-looking marks or punctures
- Small hard candies, popcorn, peanuts and very sticky candy can be possible choking hazards for children 3 years of age and under
- Throw away homemade treats.
- Drive slowly and watch carefully for children crossing the street
- Check for children before backing out of driveways
- With children on the streets, it is especially important to put down the cell phone and not text behind the wheel
- Keep car headlights on to ensure you see all little ones nearby
- Be sure to use your child’s car seat or booster seat each time you get in the car, even if you’re only traveling a short distance.
Homeowners:
- If trick-or-treaters are welcome at your home, leave the porch light on
- Remove any tripping hazards from the lawn and walkways to the home
- Try using strings or lights instead of candles, which can cause fires
- Consider healthy food alternatives or non-food treats.
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