Halloween is an exciting time of year for all ages. To stay safe while enjoying the Halloween festivities, keep these tips in mind.
Dress for the weather
- In cool temperatures, have children wear long-sleeved costumes or thermal pants/tops underneath their costumes.
- Consider costumes that can accommodate hoods and hats.
- Purchase costumes a size or two bigger than your child would normally wear to allow room for layers underneath.
- Wear jackets, hats and mittens as necessary.
- Take short trips visiting two to three houses at a time.
- Have an adult drive along who stays in the car, allowing children to take frequent breaks to warm up.
Pedestrian safety
- Teach children: to look both ways before crossing a street; to use crosswalks when they are available; and, to avoid crossing the street between parked cars.
- Make sure young children are supervised, and if possible, have them trick-or-treat in groups.
- Provide children with flashlights and glow sticks to help them see better and make them more visible to motor vehicles.
- Apply reflective tape to costumes and bags to increase the visibility of your children.
Candy safety
- Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.
- Check that treats are securely sealed and have not been tampered with or opened.
- Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the person who has prepared them.
- Keep in mind small, hard candies are choking hazards and should not be given to small children.
- When handing out treats, consider non-candy options, such as stickers and pencils.
To promote good health, look into Halloween candy buy-back programs in your community.