Halloween Safety Tips for Parents

October 30, 2014 @ 9:00 am

Halloween is definitely a time of fun and enjoyment for everyone. However, masks and the mad rush for candy can make your kids less self-aware, thus leading to potential injury. Here are a few tips to help prevent injury during this Halloween season:

Establish Rules before Trick-Or-Treating

Communicate safety rules with your child before setting out on the street. Remind them to look both ways before crossing the street, always walk with his or her head up, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, never run into the street and never walk between two cars that appear to be parked.

Light Up Your Kids

Attach reflectors to your child’s costume. This will help them stand out for traffic and will help keeping an eye on them easier for you. You can also give them glow sticks or flashlights to hold to help them see potholes or any other obstruction in the road.

Keep Costumes Safe

Make sure masks do not impair a child’s vision. If the vision is obstructed it means the child will not be able to safely maneuver, which could lead to injury. Purchase costumes and wigs that are flame resistant. Make sure accessories such as swords are not sharp. If a child trips, the accessory could cause of an injury.

Teach Your Child What to Do if He or She Becomes Lost

Review 9-1-1 procedures with your child in case he or she gets lost during trick-or-treat.

Pumpkin Carving Safety

Refrain from allowing small children to carve pumpkins. They do not have the dexterity to do this safely. Children can use markers to draw their pumpkin design, and the adult can do the carving.

Review Routes with Older Children

If you have older children who are capable of going trick-or-treating alone, establish a safe route for them to take and determine what time they should be home. They should also have a cell phone or other communication device in case of emergencies, and remind them that cutting across yards or through alleys is unacceptable.