Safety tips to make Halloween a little less scary for children (and their parents, too)

It’s that time of year again, when little ghosts, goblins, monsters and other creatures will be roaming darkened streets.

It’s a scary prospect – especially when you consider that children are more than twice as likely to get hit by a car around Halloween than at any other time of the year.

With that in mind, we’ve gathered some safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep the little ones out of harm’s way:

S —Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

A   —Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

F —Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

E —Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

 

H —Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don’t run from house to house.

A —Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

L —Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.

L —Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

O —Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

W —Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

E —Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

E —Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

N —Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

 

We hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled Halloween this year. For more safety tips, check out this blog post we wrote a few years ago. 

Oh, and if you’re still looking for a costume idea, we think dressing up like our mascot, Dewey, is an excellent idea – though we might just be a little biased!