Halloween Safety

Young children look forward to getting dressed up to go trick or treating, and are probably not thinking much about Halloween safety issues. Parents need to be keep them in mind when thinking about costumes, decorations, and treats for this special night.

Check candies before allowing kids to eat them.

Here are some Halloween safety hazards associated with this holiday:

• Children may trip over long or baggy costumes.
• Wearing a mask can impair the child's vision.
• Accessories, such as swords or knives, can cause injuries.

• Carving a pumpkin with a sharp knife can cause cuts or puncture wounds.
• Candles and lighters can be fire hazards.
• Indoor lights need to be checked for frayed cords, which may be a fire hazard.

• Unwrapped treats or treats with damaged packaging may not be safe to eat.

By following these tips, you are taking steps to ensure that everyone will have a safe and fun time while enjoying this holiday.

• Costumes should be large enough that they fit over the child's regular clothing, but not so long that a child will trip over it.
• Encourage children to wear makeup instead of a mask, since makeup won't impair their vision.
• If you decide to go with a mask, make sure the eye holes are large and have the child try it on to make sure he or she will feel comfortable wearing it before you buy.
• Look for costumes and accessories (beards, mustaches, wigs, etc.) that are "flame resistant." Nylon and polyester fabrics are good choices for this purpose.
• Costumes with an abundance of flowing fabric may catch fire if the child is a lit candle; a better choice is to buy a costume that fits close to the body.
• Turn on the outside lights on Halloween night so that trick-or-treaters know they can come to your door and remove any objects from the front entrance they may trip over.
• Keep your pets away from the door when you are answering it.
• If you decide to carve a Jack-o-Lantern, have your child draw the outline of the design, but don't let them carve the pumpkin themselves. This is something that requires adult help.
• Once the Jack-o-Lantern has been carved, put a small flashlight inside instead of using a candle to light it up.
• Check indoor and outdoor lights for frayed cords and broken or cracked sockets before using them. Don't overload your socket with too many items at once.
• Go out on Halloween with your children until they are old enough to go with their friends.
• Tell children to walk, not run, between houses they are going to on Halloween night.
• Crossing the street should be done at the corner. Trying to cross in the middle of the street is dangerous.
• Children should only go to homes where they know the people living there and shouldn't go inside the house.
• Have your children carry a flashlight or put a reflective band around their arm so they are easier to see.
• Teach your children that they are not allowed to eat any of their treats until they have been checked by an adult. Throw out any candy that is not wrapped or has a torn wrapper.
• Treats with holes in the wrapper should also be thrown out.

Halloween is supposed to be a fun experience for children, and it's possible to have a great time while keeping safety in mind. Kids are focused on having fun and don't always consider the consequences of their actions before they do something. By thinking about the possible hazards that could arise, you will be in a better position to make good choices for your children.

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