Red Cross Halloween Safety Tips for Children & Adults

Safety Tips from the Red Cross

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.


• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.


• Cross the street only at corners.


• Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.


• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)


• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.


• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
  
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)


• Visit homes that have the porch light on.


• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.


• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes. [Or make sure that your mask eye holes are wide enough for visibility.]


• Be cautious of animals and strangers.


• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.
  

Halloween Safety Tips

• With Halloween fast approaching, here are some great Halloween Safety Tips from the Los Angeles Fire Department:
  

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.


• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.


• Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.


• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.


• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.


• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.


• Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.


• Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.


• Review with your children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire.


• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.


• Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.
  

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• A Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

Remind Trick-or-Treaters:

• By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.


• Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.


• Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.


• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.


• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.


• Never cut across yards or use alleys.


• Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.


• Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.


• Always walk. Never run across a street.


• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).


• Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.


• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.


• Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.


• No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.


• Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
  

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.


• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.


• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Find a perfect (and safe!) Halloween costume and accessories at Anniescostumes.com.