Every Halloween monsters, princesses, superheroes, and zombies fill the streets across the nation to go on the hunt for candy and other delicious treats. On this night, of all nights, it is important to remember how to keep yourself and others safe. Read on for our list of .
- Children 12 and under, says Safe Kids Worldwide, should never go trick-or-treating alone no matter how small your neighborhood. Always make sure a responsible adult is present. Children mature enough to trick-or-treat on their own should stick to familiar areas that are well lit. Make sure they use the buddy system and have a cell phone.
- When choosing Halloween costumes, you should look for attire and accessories that are visible, fit well, and are fire retardant. If you are dressing your little ones in homemade costumes, make sure that the bottoms do not touch the grounds, as this will ensure their safe from tripping. Choose makeup over masks whenever possible.
- Children should always stick to sidewalks and walkways. However, if no sidewalks exist in the neighborhood that you will be trick-or-treating in, then it is best to have children stick as far to the left as possible so that they are facing oncoming traffic. Placing glow-in-the-dark tape on their costumes and treat bag is a great idea as well.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should never eat any homemade or unwrapped treats from strangers. Immediately throw these away. Only allow your children to eat factory-wrapped treats. Parents are also encouraged to inspect all treats for tears in the packaging or potential choking hazards.
- Putting jack-o’-lanterns out? Skip the candles! A burning candle in a pumpkin can quickly lead to trouble if left unattended. Instead, use a flameless or glow stick (available in wide variety of colors), to illuminate your jack-o’-lantern safely. Avoid placing them near the streets or walkways to prevent tripping accidents occurring.
- Make sure trick-or-treaters are safe when visiting your home too. Make sure the lights on outside your home. Remove anything that may cause kids to trip and fall. Keep family pets, even if they have never shown aggression before, away from trick-or-treaters. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
- Motorists should watch for children in the street. Excited trick-or-treaters may dart across the street, paying no, or little attention to the cars around them. Staying on the alert and driving slow – AAA recommends not exceeding a speed of 25 mph, can be the difference between life and death.
~ Brought to you by your friends at Hegarty-Haynes Insurance.
