Think SAFETY This Halloween

With Halloween just a week away, do you find yourself taking care of some holiday preparations? Perhaps you’re hitting up the stores with your children to hunt down that perfect costume. Or maybe you’re gathering some friends this weekend for pumpkin carving and other fall festivities. Whatever activities have made their way on to your “Halloween Agenda” this year, make sure that you are keeping in mind some Halloween safety tips. And before you take your young ghosts and goblins out next week, make sure that they know what safe trick-or-treating is all about.

In the interest of keeping people safe this season, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued its Halloween Safety Alert, with important reminders for parents and caregivers.

Picking a safe costume

• Think about fire safety for those jack-o-lantern-lit sidewalks. When you are out shopping for Halloween costumes, make sure that the costume and all accessories—wigs, masks, beards—carry the “Flame Resistant” labeling. Avoid costumes made with flimsy materials or big, baggy sleeves and bottoms.
• Think about your children’s visibility. Make sure that costume will be clearly visible to motorists by using reflective tape and bags or sacks that are light colored or reflective. Check hardware, bicycles and sporting goods stores for reflective tape. Give your kids a flashlight to walk with.
• Think about your children’s safe movement. Make sure that they aren’t tripping or falling over their costume and that their shoes fit properly. Masks, and other accessories shouldn’t slip down to interfere with their vision.

Safe trick-or-treating

• Talk to your children about safe pedestrian habits for Halloween. This means walking—not running—from house to house; using the sidewalk and not the street; not walking across lawns where there may be hidden dangers; and being careful about parked cars.
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child.
• Children should only go to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
• If you are expecting trick-or-treaters, make sure your walkway is well lit and that any candles you have—including in jack-o-lanterns are away from your landing and doorsteps.

Have a Happy—and SAFE—Halloween!