Although temperatures have been unseasonable high and we have a hurricane in the Gulf, it is nearly halfway through October and Halloween will quickly be upon us.
Ghosts, goblins, and whatever the costume of the day is (Mary Poppins, anything Harry Potter, and your little one's favorite superhero are all the rage), many of us will soon get ready to attend fall festivals, Trunk-or-Treat, and local business-sponsored events. There are still many children that go door-to-door in the hopes of filling their choice collection item with candy and other goodies. There are also home-based and destination events such as haunted farms, hayrides, and corn mazes, all which can be great fun but can also pose a risk of illness or injury.
If your little one Trick-or-Treats door-to-door, please follow the safety tips below for SafeKids.org
Walk Safely
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
- 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.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
- Keep costumes both creative and safe
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
The United States Fire Administration and FEMA remind you to be safe with decorations and costumes.
And if you do venture out a haunted house or corn maze, make sure they are fire safe.
- Are there Emergency Exits and are they clearly marked?
- Are there fire extinguishers located throughout the venue? Yes, fire extinguishers should even be part of an outdoor corn maze.
- Are there Emergency Lights in the event of a power outage?
Many well-intentioned churches and civic groups offer alternatives to trick or treating and may have a not-so-scary haunted house, Judgement House, etc. but may lack the proper safety features noted above.
Some Sobering Facts
The US Fire Administration reports more than 10,000 fires related to a 3-day period surrounding Halloween between 2014 and 2016. The top four causes of these fires were noted to be: Cooking 53%, Heating 11%, Electrical malfunctions 6%, and unintentional or careless acts accounted for the remaining 6%. There were 30 deaths from fire and more than 125 injuries reported during the same time period.
Halloween is Just the Beginning!
As the holiday season rapidly descends on us, so do the risks associated with those holidays. In early November we will publish more fire safety tips related to holiday decorations, cooking, and cold weather safety. Until then, stay safe!
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