Halloween Trick or Treater Safety Tips

It's that time again when children enjoy dressing up and roaming the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in search of some of their favorite candy. To keep your little goblins safe, just take a minute and read the following Safety Tips for Halloween...! Have a great and safe time this Halloween season. Booooo.....!!!

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Trick-or-Treaters

• Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths.
• Use fresh flashlight batteries. Check it BEFORE you leave the house.
• Chemical GLOW in the DARK LIGHT STICKS can be used along with flashlights.
• Stay on the Sidewalks.
• (If their is no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road.
• Walk SINGLE file, facing the traffic.
• Obey ALL local traffic signals.
• Cross only at corners, with adults.
• DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
• DO NOT assume you have the right of way.
• Because one car stops, doesn't mean others will...!
• Trick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods.
• DO NOT cut across strangers yards or driveways.
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
• Set the watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
• Make sure your costumes don't drag on the ground.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, and they should fit properly.
• Make sure your shoe laces are tighted tight. You can trip...!!!
• Avoid wearing your mask while walking from house to house.
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
• Avoid pointed props such as spears, or wands that endanger other children's eyes.
• Wear clothing and costumes with reflective tape or "Glow in the Dark" markings.
• A flashing In Sight At Night Safety Strobe Light can also be attached to children AND adult costumes. Proper SAFETY knows no age barrier...!
• Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.
• Always use the front door, NEVER go to the back of a house.
  
  
  

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Parents

• Make sure your child eats a good dinner before going out Trick-or-Treating. They need proper energy tonight...!!!
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
• Make sure you work into your child's OR adult Halloween costume, reflector strips, a FLASHING safety light or the very popular GLOW LIGHT STICKS to make everyone more visible and much safer at night. SAFETY FIRST tonight of all nights...!
• Teach your child how call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone.
• Bring your child for a visit to your local police or fire department.
• Children should carry several quarters so they can call home.
• Let them borrow the FULLY CHARGED family cell phone, with home number ready.
• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
• Set their watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
• DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT allow your children to wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
• Avoid streets under construction. There are holes and pits. Use common sense.
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
• Older children should trick-or-treat in groups.
• You should know WHERE they're going and with WHO they are going with.
• Although product tampering is rare, tell the children to bring ALL the candy home to be inspected BEFORE consuming anything.
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks like tampering.
• If you child has an ALLERGY, VERY IMPORTANT to look at the ingredients of the treats they bring home.
  
  
  

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Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, garden hoses, dog leashes and low flower pots. These objects can trip the young trick-or-treater.
• Be sure the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated and clear of obstacles. Double check ALL the outside lights...!!!
• GLOW LIGHT STICKS or battery powered jack-o-lantern light are preferable to real flame candles.
• If you do use candles, place the carved jack-o-lantern well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure that paper or cloth decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
• NEVER leave any flaming candle unattended.
• BE PREPARED. Have a FULLY CHARGED fire extinguisher handy, just in case...! BE PREPARED.
• Pass out healthy food alternatives for visiting trick-or-treaters. Include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
• Non-food treats: PEZ candy dispensers, small note pads, pencils, pens, stickers, erasers, coins.
  
  
  

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Halloween Drivers

• Drive and go slow, slow, slow all evening.
• NO ONE should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type.
• CAUTION: Young trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of you.
• Obey ALL traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian.
• Adult Halloween parties should have a designated driver.
• If you drive a long distance, make arrangements to stay over.