From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, Halloween can be a fun night for kids of all ages. However, there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns, especially when it comes to pedestrian safety.
To help ensure your Halloween is full of planned scares and frights, the following are some safety tips for you and your family:
Costumes
- Plan costumes that are bright and reflective
- Add reflective tape to outfits and bags so children are more visible when walking throughout the night
- Although masks are a fun addition to any costume, they can decrease a child’s visibility. Consider using a non-toxic makeup or decorative hats and wigs instead.
- Make sure your child’s costume is flame resistant
Trick-or-Treating
- Always walk with flashlights or glow sticks
- Adults should accompany children at all times
- Walk in familiar neighbourhoods or pre-plan where you will trick-or-treat. Always designate a meeting place for children to meet if someone gets separated form the group
- Respect property, parked cars and do not tamper with decorations
- Parents should inspect candy bags for foods that are not commercially made
Homeowners
- Open Flames: Keep jack o’ Lanterns safe by using battery-operated lights, rather than candles. Don’t set them near areas where children will be walking or waiting
- Pets: Keep animals indoors even if they are friendly
- Walkways: Remove any objects that might be in the way for trick-or-treaters coming to your door. Objects could include garden hoses, toys, bikes, lawn care items or decorations
- Hand out pre-packaged candy – baked foods of any sort, should not be given out as “treats” on Halloween
Pedestrian Safety
- Always cross at a cross walk or stop sign
- Don’t let your kids leave home without a fully charged cell phone. They can call for help in case of an emergency or call their friends if they get lost/separated
- Never dart out onto the road. If you fall behind the group, catch up with them when its safe to do so
- Set a curfew for your older children and decide on a pre-determined route so you will know their approximate whereabouts
Did you know?
- Halloween is thought to have originated around 4000 B.C., which means Halloween has been around over 6000 years!
- 50% of kids prefer to receive chocolate for Halloween while only 24% prefer candy
- Boston, Massachusetts holds the record for the most Jack O’ Lanterns lit at once (30,128 to be exact)
Happy Halloween from the lawyers and staff at McLeish Orlando!
