Halloween is fun and the kids really enjoy the festivities. For them it’s magical, exciting and spooky. But for parents it can be a strange mixture of fun and concern. Halloween brings so many safety concerns and there’s no shortage of what to fear in the news.
Here are practical, helpful and easy steps to follow to bring more fun and less anxiety into your Halloween this year.
Road and Pedestrian Safety.
The National Safety Council reports that in 2016, 7,330 pedestrians died in traffic or non-traffic incidents. Non-traffic accidents are those that happen on private property, parking lots or driveways. Lack of visibility is a key contributor (dark night, dark clothes?). Here are 10 ways to avoid road and pedestrian accidents.
- Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- For older kids who go it alone, get their plan, where they are going, how they plan to travel and who they are going with.
- Get a deadline for their return. No debate.
- Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Put electronic devices away and keep your head up when crossing streets.
- Teach your kids to make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a car.
- Use sidewalks and paths but if there aren’t any walk facing traffic as far off the road as possible.
- Plan to make costumes bright and reflective. Even the all black costume can be adorned with a reflector belt or reflective tape (against potential protests). Glow sticks might be a “cooler” option.
- Use costumes that allow for full vision. Some masks limit the vision and can lead to accidents.
- Walk. Don’t run.
Classic Good Practices.
There are those bits of advice we hear every year on the evening news yet how many of us follow it? Here are 5 classic, yet always relevant and worthy of repeating, tips for Halloween safety.
- Tell your kids not to eat any of the candy until they return home. It’s not likely poison, but it’s important to know what your kids are eating and if anything looks suspicious.
- Don’t get into a stranger’s car or enter a stranger’s home. Ever. Halloween can lower our normal defenses, so stick to your usual safety guidelines when it comes to strangers.
- If you’re driving on Halloween, slow down, put away the cell phone, and stay extra alert in neighborhoods. As parents, we’ve all given the stink eye to the irresponsible driver.
- Avoid dark lit homes. Visit the houses that are well lit.
- Kids should be in groups and/or with a trusted adult.
Costume Safety.
Costumes are awesome and they can be exceptionally elaborate. But with such costumes there are some safety concerns. Here are 4 safety tips for Halloween costumes.
- Play swords, knives, axes or whatever hand-held terror your kid carries should be short, soft, blunt and flexible.
- Test any makeup in a small area first to ensure your kid’s skin doesn’t react in a rash or even eye irritation.
- Ensure that costumes are fire resistant since there are a lot of candles and fire hazards out on Halloween. Teach your kids to avoid open candles or other fire sources.
- Choose a costume that fits. Baggy costumes are a trip and fall waiting to happen where sidewalks and curbs are unforgiving.
