Keep your kiddos safe this year with the following trick-or-treating safety tips.
Costumes
• Make sure that costumes fit well, including shoes, masks and hats to avoid trips, falls and restricted vision.
• Consider adding reflective pieces or glow sticks to your child’s costume.
• Test costume makeup on your child’s skin before Halloween night.
• Props, including swords and knives, should be soft and flexible.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses, as they can cause serious damage to the eyes.
Walking
• Have each child carry a flashlight with them when they walk.
• Keep to sidewalks as much as possible, and walk on the side of the road that faces traffic. Urge children not to cut across yards or streets, and to steer clear of alleyways.
• Remind children to use common safe-walking practices including using crosswalks, looking both ways, and no running.
• Stay alert when walking, and avoid using electronic devices.
• Children under 12 should have adult supervision at all times. Children 12 and over should trick-or-treat in groups.
• Only visit well-lit houses with porch lights illuminated.
In the Home
• Keep your porch illuminated for guests.
• Keep jack-o-lanterns and luminaries on elevated surfaces where they can’t be easily kicked over. If opting to place these decorations on the ground, use battery-powered, flameless candles.
• Clear your front lawn of any toys, bikes, or gardening equipment.
• Restrain pets so they do not come to the door.
Candy
• Be sure your child eats a full meal before filling up on candy.
• Check your child’s candy and discard anything that looks questionable, spoiled, or is not factory-wrapped.