Safe Halloween Tips

While many (we won’t say all) of you won’t be dressing up and pleading for candy from neighbours on October 31st – probably because you heard too many “aren’t you a bit old for this?” the last time you tried that – you may have little ones in the house who are craving the day when they can say TRICK OR TREAT and hope that it’s always the latter.

And to help your kids and their friends to enjoy a safe and memorable Halloween, the good people at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have put together a neat little ‘checklist’ that’s easy to remember because it spells: SAFE HALLOWEEN.

S: Swords, knives, and similar 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.

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

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

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

O: Only walk on sidewalks 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 unless you know the cook well.

E: Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.

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

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm