No Tricks, Just Treats! Halloween Safety Tips.

Costumes have been ordered and the house is decorated.  Empty storefronts have been temporarily converted to Halloween stores and bulk candy fills the shelves of every store.  It is that time again – Halloween!  With so much fun to be had with parties and trick or treating, also keep in mind these Halloween safety tips.

From the costume to the candy to being out on the street, parents are on hyper-watch to be sure this holiday stays spooky but doesn’t get too scary.

Costume Considerations

• Witches, black cats and zombie costumes are popular year after year. But make sure your child’s dark colored costume can be seen.  Add glow necklaces and bracelets, reflective stickers on shoes and trim and a bright colored or glow-in-the-dark candy bag.
• Fireproof them. Most commercially purchased costumes will be flame resistant. Check the label to be sure. But homemade costumes may not be. Certain fabrics like polyester are more fire resistant. Also be careful with drapes, capes and sleeves that can dangle into a lit jack-o-lantern or candles.
• Size it right! Pants or gowns that are too long are a tripping hazard.
• Sometimes comfort and ease outweigh fashion! Those platform shoes may make the costume, but switch them out for something more practical after the costume contest! Trick or treating in uncomfortable or awkward shoes can slow you down and create a risk of falling!

On the Road

For most kids, trick or treating is the highlight of the holiday.  But cars are still out and precautions should still be taken when going door to door in the dark. According to the National Safety Council, twice as many kids are hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

• Pay attention. Whether it is devices, costume props or digging through the candy bag, lack of focus is a dangerous thing when walking in the street at night.
• Don’t assume the right-of-way. Stop at the end of streets and look both ways before crossing. While cars should be hyper-vigilant when driving on Halloween, you still want to follow normal safety measures.
• Keep right. A study by State Farm Insurance showed that 70% of the fatal car accidents on Halloween happened away from an intersection. Walk on the side of the road or sidewalk and avoid the middle of the street when possible.
• Trick or treat up one side of a street and then hit the houses on the other side on the way back. Don’t zig zag back and forth across the street multiple times.
• If you are driving, go slower than the speed limit and be very watchful for a child darting out into the street. Be careful at curves in the road or sharp turns as there may be trick or treaters around the bend.

Treats and not Tricks

The kids are ready to reap the rewards of their trick or treating and enjoy some of their favorite candy before bed.  A few tips on managing those treats:

• If at all possible, don’t let them eat the candy until you get home and can examine/sort it. If they are dying for a bite, have them pick a candy from a friend or neighbor’s house who you know well.
• While homemade goodies are a nice thought, unless you know the person well who made them, they should be discarded.
• When you get home, examine the candy closely. Any packages that are open or torn should be thrown away. While poisoning of Halloween candy is really just an urban legend, you still don’t want your child eating candy that has signs of tampering or that isn’t commercially sealed. Any discoloration or texture issues also warrant disposal.  The candy could be old or even leftover from last year and recycled!
• For children under three years old, remove hard candies or any others that might be a choking hazard as well as any toys or small giveaways.
• When buying candy to give out, consider something without nuts as many children have allergies.

Cultris Security Systems wishes you a safe and Happy Halloween!