Halloween Safety Tips to Share with Subscribers

Halloween fun brings out the kids in all of us, but while we bring on the fun, it is important not to forget safety. Each year, there are many accidents, injuries, and damages that could have been avoided if simple precautions would have been taken.

Here are some simple tips for keeping Halloween fun and safe.

Safety While Trick or Treating

Trick or treating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if kids and their parents are not observing safety precautions, especially when it comes to pedestrian safety. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Stay safe and aware.

• A responsible adult should accompany young children at all times.
• If older children are going alone, plan an acceptable route and have them carry a phone and flashlight.
• Make sure costumes fit well and do not obstruct vision.
• Use non-toxic makeup.
• Consider using a PERs device for children, for immediate access to help and their location.
• Wear highly visible, reflective clothing and carry lighting.
• Teach children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
• Inspect candy before eating, and limit consumption.

Tips for Motorists

• Watch for children walking on roadways, darting out into the street, on sidewalks, and in driveways.
• Reduce your speed.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• Discourage new or inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Tips For Homeowners

• Use battery operated candles for any decorations.
• Keep walkways free of obstructions.
• Keep your outdoor lights on.
• Use video surveillance to watch for problems such as vandalism.
• Keep pets in a safe and restricted area.
• Do not provide an easy view of the inside of your home.

Tips for Pets

• Be careful of pet costumes. The ASPCA recommends that pet parents do not put pets in costumes unless they know they will not cause fear or stress.
• Watch the decorations around pets. Pets can knock them over causing damage or harm, eat them, or in many other ways become hurt from them.
• Keep candy out of reach. Many candies can cause pets to become sick, and some can even be fatal in larger amounts.
• Keep pets indoors and away from the front door so they cannot accidentally escape.
• Make sure your pet is wearing some form of contact and identification, should they get out of the home and become lost.

With a few extra precautions, Halloween can be spooky, fun, and most importantly, safe for all.