Halloween is one of the exciting times of the year for children, but local public safety agencies are encouraging parents and guardians to exercise caution and safety during the holiday.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If trick-or-treating doesn’t start until after dark, consider checking with town or park for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day. There will be several events going Tuesday evening including the Main Street Trunk or Treat event that will be held downtown on the square.
If older children are trick-ortreating alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable and agree on a specific time when they should return home. Also, flashlights with batteries for everyone is encouraged if areas are not well lit.
Parents are encouraged to talk with kids about the risk of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at the mobile phone and listening to music. Crossing the street as a group in established crosswalks is also encouraged. Roughly 62% of child pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred midblock, rather than at intersections. Make sure kids know not to cross the street between parked cars or out of driveways or alleys.
Don’t assume cars will stop just because they have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only go to homes with a porch light on and, ideally, a well-lit pathway. Older children should travel in groups and create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely.
Caution kids never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about any suspicious or unlawful activity. While a majority of parents will be alongside their children, they are still encouraged to review how to call 9-1-1 with their children if they ever have an emergency, get lost or are prone to wander.
For individuals giving out candy, be sure to remove tripping hazards to keep the home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Keep the porch and front yard clear of items such as garden hoses, toys and bikes. Additionally, check outdoor lights and replace burnedout bulbs. Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps to prevent anyone from slipping on them. Restrain pets so they do not jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
Parents are encouraged to plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility. Make sure that shoes fit well, and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, getting caught on objects or coming into contact with firepits. Individuals can look for “flame resistant” on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this. Also, hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes and blocking vision.
Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks. Test makeup ahead of time on a small patch of child’s skin to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises or allergic reactions on the big day. Toxic ingredients have been found in cosmetics marketed to teens and tweens.
Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes or sticks as a costume accessory. Your child can easily be hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye exam and a prescription from an eye care professional. While packaging for decorative lenses may claim “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” wearing decorative contact lenses without a prescription is dangerous. It can cause serious eye problems that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Once trick-or-treating is completed, wait until children are home to sort and check treats before eating them. Though tampering is rare, it can happen. Also, many cannabis edibles look like regular candy could get accidentally mixed up with Halloween treats. Closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Give a child a good meal before trick-or-treating to discourage sampling.
Keep an eye on what a child has in their mouth at all times while trick-or-treating. Keep in mind that babies and toddlers should not have hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies (jellybeans, etc.), gummy candy, pumpkin seeds or anything with whole nuts. Candy wrappers, stickers, small toys or temporary tattoos can be a choking hazard, too.