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Halloween
Safety:
Halloween
safety lists began to emerge in the 1960s after rumors of candy
laced with drugs gained national attention. By the 70s, the press
was reporting more and more Halloween incidents, such as older children
attacking younger children to steal their candy, or children finding
razor blades or broken pieces of glass in their treats. Although
studies, reports, and investigations have attributed all incidents
of Halloween sadism to pranks or diversions for other unrelated
crimes, trick-or-treating safety tips continue to surface every
season. For the most part, these holiday pointers offer commonsense
advice to prevent careless accidents. Most of the safety reminders
below are derived from the National Crime Prevention Council, McGruff
the Crime Dog, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Safe trick-or-treating
Make sure young children are accompanied by an adult or responsible
teenager when they go
door-to-door.
If you can't accompany your children, instruct them to trick-or-treat
in their own neighborhood and in well-lighted streets.
If children are going to be out after dark, make sure they carry
a flashlight.
Teach your children to use the sidewalks if they can. If there
are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing cars.
Know which friends your children will be with and which route
they are taking.
Leave your porch light on so children will know it's OK to visit
your home.
Instruct children never to eat anything until they are home and
the treats have been carefully examined. Cut and wash fruit before
eating. Throw away anything unwrapped. Check the wrappers of commercial
treats for evidence of tampering. Call the police if there are
any suspicious treats.
Costume safety
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Look for the label Flame Resistant.
Avoid costumes with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Choose costumes that are light and bright enough to be visible
to motorists.
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. High heels are
not a good idea.
Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping
over children's eyes.
A natural mask of cosmetics is better than a loose-fitting mask
that might restrict breathing or obscure vision.
Costumes
should be large enough so that warm clothes can be worn underneath
when it's cold out.
Sword, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft
and flexible material.
Decorate costumes and treat bags with reflective tape.
If
you have long hair, be sure and tie it back before cutting or
lighting candles.
Before painting your face, test the makeup on a small part of
your skin. If it itches or stings don't use it.
Tip for Parents!
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Dentists
say that it's better to eat all of the Halloween candy quickly,
and then get back to normal eating and brushing habits rather
than dragging the sugar fest on for weeks.
If
you are out driving, please remember to drive safely! Watch for
the kids.
For discussions
with your children: [top]
If
you are trick or treating after dark carry a flashlight. You can
put the flashlight under your chin for a very scary look! The
light helps you see where you are going and makes you visible
to cars.
Before
kids eat their trick-or-treating bounty, it's important that an
adult carefully examine all candy to make sure it has not been
tampered with.
Always check with a grown up before eating any candy.
Always say thank you and remember, no tricks!
Keep a very close eye out for cars when crossing the road.
When you are out trick or treating you should wear makeup or a
mask that doesn't restrict your vision in any way.
Don't talk to or take treats from people you don't know.
Discuss the route before hand. Only go on well-lit, familiar streets.
Eat a good meal before leaving the house, so that you won't be
tempted to eat some candy before having a grown up check them.
Never enter a stranger's home or car.
Don't cut across lawns, as there may be unseen objects to trip
over.
Have some money with you so that you can phone home if you need
some assistance. Cross at intersections or crosswalks.
Only go to homes that are well-lit or are clearly participating
in Halloween.
Be nice to the little kids. When they're all bundled up in their
costumes they can fall over very easily.
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Halloween
Safety 
HAPPY
HALLOWEEN
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