Staying Safe On Halloween

Halloween is a favorite time of the year for children. As you assist your children in picking out a costume for an evening of trick or treating, keep these safety tips in mind:

1. Look for the words “Flame Resistant” on costumes, masks, beards and wigs. While flame resistant clothing can catch fire, it will be easier to extinguish should the object catch fire.

2. Make certain that your child can be seen in the dark. Use reflective trim on costumes that will glow in the headlights of a vehicle or dress your child in bright, visible colors. Children should carry glow sticks or flashlights, if possible.

3. Costumes should help  children to be more safe, not put them at risk for falling. Clothing should be short enough to prevent tripping and shoes should be sturdy. Tie hats and scarfs securely to prevent them from covering up eyes. Accessories, such as knives and swords, should be made of soft, flexible materials.

4. Use makeup  to apply masks rather than purchase an ill-fitting mask that can make it difficult for a child to see and breath.

5. When trick or treating, advise your child to walk, not run,using side walks, not lawns or streets to move from house to house.

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children are more likely to get hurt from falling,  from problems with their costumes or hurt by a vehicle on Halloween rather than from tainted Halloween candy, it is always a good idea to check your kid’s candy for tampering before they eat it.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!