There have been multiple opportunities for children and those young at heart to put on their costumes and rock their best Halloween spirt of late. Now we are days away from the big night: Oct. 31. Safety advocates from Kansas Safe Kids, the Kansas Poison Center and the State Fire Marshal offer the following tips to keep children safe his Halloween holiday. After all, on Halloween injuries can be just as scary as ghosts and ghouls but are much more real.
Pedestrian accidents, falls, burns and poisonings are just a few of the common injuries that occur on this particular night. The good news is they are preventable if you make safety part of your fall festivity planning.
On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks – and those kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.
Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house. Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them. Children younger than age 12 should not be crossing streets alone on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager.
“While it’s a good idea for children to have a cell phone with them in case of an emergency, remind them to pay attention to their surroundings,” said Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas. “Don’t be distracted from hazards because you are texting or talking on the phone.”
Remind children to be careful with candy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to dive right into treats, but it is best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in a candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away and keep the Poison Help number programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source. Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.
Follow these tips to ensure everyone has a fun and safe holiday.
Costume Safety
• Choose costumes and decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and have kids carry glow sticks and flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• Prevent trips and falls by selecting a costume that is the right size and choose non-toxic face paint and makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Decorate Safely
• Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, such as candles, light bulbs and heaters.
• Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards.
• Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
• If you are attending parties or haunted houses, look for the exits and have an escape in case of an emergency.
• If using dry ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
• Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be hazards you can’t see.
• If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Only cross the street at corners and crosswalks; not between parked cars. Make eye contact and wave at drivers before crossing.
• Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Put away phones and other distracting electronics.
Trick or Treat Safely
• 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, stick to a pre-planned route and trick-or-treat in groups.
Drive Safely
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Watch out for pedestrians when turning at intersections. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
