Halloween Safety – Costumes, Trick-or-Treating and More!
Halloween is almost here and we are getting so excited! My family hosts a party every year where basically we gorge on chili, hot dogs, desserts and then proceed to sample every candy in our children’s trick-or-treat bag. I think we look forward to it just as much as our kiddos. We make all kinds of fun themed foods, desserts and we all wear costumes. We love trying to come up with family themed costumes and if we are feeling really ambitious then will even recreate some Pinterest ideas. Last year we all dressed up as favorite characters from a Netflix Series, while this year we couldn’t be more mixed matched. However, we love it and especially thankful for any excuse to be together with family & friends.
Safety during Halloween is always on my mind….even now, with my children close to their teenage years, we take all the precautions necessary. My big thing as a mom, is never being with out an adult. It’s just my thing…and I don’t mean I have to hover over them, but I will absolutely be standing in the background observing. There are so many resources online to get really sound safety advice. One of my go to places is the National Safety Council…you can find them online at www.nsc.org. They are a reliable resource for all kinds of safety information on every situation imaginable.
Another really good thing to do is include your children in the discussion. Ask them what they would do during specific scenarios. Let them really think about it and give examples of how they would handle certain situations. Then together read the safety tips below from National Safety Council.
Costume Safety
To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards.
- All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
- Avoid masks, which can obstruct vision
- If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
- When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it in a small area first
- Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation
When They’re on the Prowl
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
- If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
- Agree on a specific time children should return home
- Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home
- Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street
Safety Tips for Motorists
NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours:
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing
- Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween
Halloween Safety Tips from Penguin Patch Employees ( we have a ton of children here!)
Consider non-toxic face make up instead of masks that may hinder your child’s view. Make sure their costume fits so they won’t trip of fall.
Use reflective tape on dark clothing or on Trick or Treat bags.
Carry a flash light or glow stick.
Remind your kids to stay out of the street, and be on the lookout for cars when crossing the street. They should try to cross at the corner.
Make sure all kids know that under NO circumstances should they enter a home of someone they do not know or get in strangers car.
Only visit houses with porch lights on.
Set a time for the older kids to be home and follow young children at a safe distance while they are out.
Check all candy and treats before eating them.
If you are out driving, please be extra aware that the children will be excited and may not look both ways before crossing the street and may move in unpredictable ways. Drive slowly around crowds. Turn on headlights earlier to spot children at greater differences.
Watch out for animals – they may be confused with all the Halloween happenings and could act aggressively.
Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street, don’t dart out between parked cars, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks or paths.
Inexperienced drivers should be discouraged from driving on Halloween.
Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
Make sure your porch and walkways are clear of anything a child could trip over.
Candle lit pumpkins should be placed inside on a sturdy table, away from curtains or flammable objects.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Penguin Patch. Be safe and you can save all the Kit Kats for me and ship them directly to our office.
-Melanie
