Halloween Safety Tips

Dressing up in a costume to go ask for free candy from anybody with a porch light on is a kids dream! With these easy to follow tips and guidelines, having Halloween turn into a nightmare will be the farthest thing from everybody's mind. Talk to your kids about safety before they go out Trick or Treating and remind them that the best way to stay out of danger is to be aware of their surroundings!

Here's our list of things to consider to make sure that everybody has a fun time and makes it home safely:

Eat before your Trick or Treat!
- If your child is Trick or Treating on a full stomach, they will be less tempted to eat the candy in their bag before you can inspect it!
Kids should never approach a stranger's house unless accompanied by an adult.
Younger Kids should Trick or Treat with an adult and remain within line of sight of that adult.
Do not allow children to enter someone's home unless accompanied by an adult.
Do not approach a home unless it is lit inside and out.
Increase your child's visibility at night:
- Carry a flashlight, light stick or lantern to make yourself more visible.
- Use Reflective Tape on their costume
Inspect your child's costume:
- Make sure your child can breath through their mask without obstruction.
- Make sure your child's view is unobstructed by their costume
- Mobility:
  - WALK. Costumes are fun, but not all are made for running around.
  - Make sure that that any accessories that go with the costume do not drag on the ground.
  - Costumes should fit well and pant cuffs should not create a tripping hazard
  - Footwear is crucial. kids should wear shoes that provide maximum stability.
- Swords, knives and other faux weapons should be made of plastic, cardboard or soft foam.
Make note of the houses where you trick or treat.
Take extra caution crossing the street, looking both ways and obeying the signals at crosswalks
Keep kids away from candle lit pumpkins to avoid fire hazard.
Keep candle lit pumpkins away from flammable materials including buildings, stacks of firewood, corn stalks and bales of hay.
Treat Inspection
- Talk to your child about the necessity of inspecting the loot they bring home - make sure they understand it's for their own safety and that candy should not be eaten until it is brought home and inspected by a parent.
- When in doubt, throw it out!
- Throw away any candy that is not wrapped in a sealed wrapper.
- Inspect baked goods: if they are unlabeled or you do not know which house they came from, throw it out.
- Fruit - we've all heard about razor blades and pins in apples, and they're true, but you need to read this before you start freaking out about the apple in your kid's loot.
  - Fruit should be washed and cut into small pieces or slices before eating.
- Make sure the candy your child received does not contain alcohol.
Older kids should trick or treat on the buddy system - or in groups.
- Parents should know who is in the group and the planned route of Trick or Treating.
- Review the planned stops and admonish your children to stay away from the houses you want them to avoid.
- Kids should avoid shortcuts and isolated areas.
Teens out in groups should notify parents where they are going and when they are expected home.
Remind teens that vandalism is still illegal on Halloween, and avoiding trouble is the best way to stay out of it.
Consider an alternative to trick or treating - host or attend a neighborhood party, have a party at school or other community center.