Halloween Safety

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, HOOAH 4 HEALTH offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment. Following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

Before Halloween:

• Dress in costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping or entanglement.
• Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags.
• Fix emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween costume or on a bracelet.
• Masks can limit or block eyesight. Use non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
• Purchase items with labels clearly indicating that they are flame resistant.
• Get flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any pay phone.
• Remove all unsafe, hazardous tripping objects on your property.

Before Nightfall on Halloween:

A good healthy meal before trick-or-treating will discourage children from filling up on Halloween treats. Consider fire safety when decorating with holiday lights. Keep Jack O' Lanterns away from flammable materials and areas where children will be standing or walking. Plan and review the route with your children and make sure that they return back home at a specific time. Keep all household pets away from frightful sights and sounds. Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

When Trick or Treating:

• A responsible adult should always accompany young children while trick or treating.
• By using flashlights, children can see and be seen by others.
• Kids should stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Only go to homes with porch lights on.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).
• Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
• No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an adult at home.
• Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

After Trick or Treating:

Once home a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween. Encourage sharing, and make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to kids of appropriate age.

Source: Halloween Safety Tips - Los Angeles Fire Department, May 17, 2003.