Halloween Safety Tips

In less than 2 weeks, another Halloween will be upon us.  This means free candy, cute kids in costumes, Hocus Pocus, and did I mention free candy? Unfortunately, Halloween is also the most dangerous holiday for children.  To be proactive and to try to prevent any injuries this year here are top tips for safely on and around Halloween.

1.       Drive Slow— drive around 10 mph maybe even less in neighborhoods where there are kids that are trick or treating.

2.       Wear reflective clothing and put reflective stripes on strollers, bags, etc— Even if your child is dressed up like a minion and wearing a neon yellow shirt, still put reflectives on them. Buy cheap reflective strips on Amazon and put them on your stroller or wagon if you are using one. You top goal is to make sure you can be seen by anyone who is driving by. 

3.       Check all candy and only eat unopened sweets— Don’t eat any candy until after you are back home and check look at it in good light

4.       Dress for the weather—Here in upstate New York, some Halloweens it has been close to 80F out and some years it is snowing outside.  Check your local weather before you go out and make any minor adjustments to costumes to accommodate the temperatures.

5.       Make sure the pathway to your house is well lit—Parents might have strollers or wagons that need to get up to your door. Make sure that they can see clearly by turning out your outside lights. 

6.       Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

7.       Don’t let children under the age of 12 go trick or treating without an adult present. 

8.       Bring a flashlight with you for those just in case moments.

9.       Put electronic devices away and pay attention while trick or treating.

For more Halloween safety tips visit the Center for Disease Control’s Halloween webpage and remember to stay safe.