9/26/00

Making Halloween Safe

Yellow school buses and children with heavily laden backpacks have added color and noise to local streets once again, the leaves are showing signs of changing from summer green to autumnal reds and oranges, and retailers seem to have been invaded by ghosts, witches, and goblins. Parents and children know these signs can mean only one thing-- Halloween is just around the corner.

In recent years, municipalities and civic groups have increasingly offered organized entertainment for children as a safe alternative to celebrating one of childhood’s favorite holidays. But for many, it just isn’t Halloween unless the young people go door-to-door trick or treating. Although the list of possible hazards facing trick or treaters can be enough to send chills down the spines of many adults, Halloween can be a safe and enjoyable time, and many happy memories can be assured by following several guidelines. For safe trick or treating:

1. Children should wear costumes that do not drag on the ground, shoes that fit, and face paint and makeup instead of masks whenever possible. If masks are used, they should be carried from house to house and worn only at the doors to the houses.

2. Children should always carry a flashlight (with fresh batteries), wear a watch that can be read in the dark, and have reflective tape on costumes and props.

3. If they must be used, carry only soft, flexible props such as knives, swords, and guns that do not appear authentic.

4. Purchase only accessories, wigs, and costumes that are flame retardant.

5. Walk, don’t run, from house to house, stay on sidewalks, and obey all traffic signals.

6. Don’t cut across yards or driveways, and cross streets at crosswalks and safe corners.

7. Stay in groups, and only go to well-lit houses of people you know.

8. Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.

9. Wait until you are home to sample any treats so parents can inspect them for safety.

A number of additional measures should be taken by parents to ensure the safety of their children. Parents should always accompany young trick or treaters. If the children are old enough to go out alone, they should agree upon the route they will take with their parents ahead of time, and should carry quarters so they can call home. Parents should set a curfew and be sure the children understand the time they should be home. Secure emergency information (name, address, phone number) inside the Halloween costume or on a bracelet. It is a good idea to teach all children how to dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, and parents should review the lesson of “stop, drop, and roll” in case a costume catches fire. When trick or treating is over an adult should carefully inspect the treats for signs of tampering. Anything that looks suspicious should be thrown away, and anything a small child has received that could cause choking should be removed.

Even if you have no children that are trick or treating this Halloween, good neighbors can help protect the children that knock on their doors as well. Clear the yard of things such as ladders, hoses, and flowerpots that can trip young children in costumes. Confine family pets safely indoors for the protection of both the animals and the children. When decorating, consider using battery powered jack-o-lantern candles or light sticks instead of real flames. If lit candles are used, place the jack-o-lantern well away from where trick or treaters will be walking or standing, and make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle. And don’t forget fire safety when decorating indoors or outdoors; do not overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting or special effects. Always keep Jack-o-lanterns away from drapes, decorations, and other flammable materials.

Halloween need not be a scary proposition for adults or children. By exercising caution and employing these suggestions, it can be a safe and fun-filled evening for everyone.