Halloween Safety Tips

Personal Injury - October 30, 2019 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

Summer has turned to Fall. While that means relaxation from the heat, it also means that Halloween is fast approaching. If you have children who love to trick or treat, now is the time to start thinking about safety.

Halloween safety begins early in the month and continues on through the candy gathering fun. Below, you will find some safety tips to take you through this holiday and prevent personal injuries.

Pumpkin Carving Safety

Everyone loves looking at that glowing pumpkin on the front porch. However, you should never let small children carve pumpkins.

  • Children can draw faces and shapes on the pumpkin with markers. Adults should always be the ones doing the carving.
  • Adults should light the candles inside the pumpkins. You could even use a flashlight inside instead.
  • Make sure pumpkins lit with candles are on a sturdy table and away from anything flammable. Keep them out of the walkways and never leave a candle-lit pumpkin unattended.

Costume Preparation

Kids will want to have a great costume. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure the costume is safe.

  • Plan to have costumes that are bright and reflective. You can add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags for added visibility.
  • Make sure the costumes are not too long because they can become tripping hazards.
  • Masks can limit visibility. You should consider using non-toxic makeup or even decorative hats as alternatives. Test the makeup on a small area of your child’s skin the day before just to make sure they are not allergic to it.
  • Choose costumes and wigs that are labeled as flame resistant.
  • If there are swords, canes, or sticks used as part of the costume, make sure they are not very long, that they are not sharp, and that they are flexible. A child could hurt others or even themselves if they fall with these objects.
  • Do not let your kids wear decorative contact lenses without having an eye exam or prescription. Many decorative lenses advertise as being safe for anyone, but that is not the case. These lenses can cause serious eye injuries and infections.

Trick or Treat Safety

The big night can be fun, but parents need to review safety plans ahead of time.

  • Parents or guardians should always accompany younger kids when they are making the neighborhood rounds for candy.
  • Bring flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and guardians.
  • If older children are going without a guardian, make sure they are going with friends and only taking a route acceptable to you. Make sure they have a phone with them and consider installing a family tracking app for the evening so you can follow their progress.
  • Only go to homes with the porch lights on and make sure your children know to never approach a vehicle for candy.
  • Always follow pedestrian safety guidelines in and around the roadway to prevent a pedestrian accident. Just because it is Halloween, do not assume drivers know or care:
    • Look left, right, and left before crossing the street. Only use marked crosswalks if they are available.
    • Make sure a driver sees you before crossing. Never cross the road between parked cars.
    • Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk if one is available. If there is no sidewalk, stay on the far edge of the roadway and walk facing traffic.

Parents and children can enjoy this night by planning ahead and following safety procedures. Always notify the police if you see any suspicious activity or if anyone is hurt.