Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween, though undoubtedly an occasion forcarry coins for non-emergency phone calls.
fun, is also a time when accidents could occur.• Confine, segregate or otherwise
When even adults, let alone children, are excited,prepare household pets for an evening of frightful
they tend to be less careful and allow mistakes tosights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats
happen.are wearing collars and proper identification tags.
Simple common sense ideas could prevent yourConsult your veterinarian for further advice.
child or even yourself from being hurt or injured• Remind all household drivers to remain
and avert a tragedy. Here's a list of Halloweencautious and drive slowly throughout the
Safety Tips recommended by the Los Angelescommunity.
Fire Department.• Adult partygoers should establish and
BEFORE HALLOWEEN:reward a designated driver.
• Plan costumes that are bright andWHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:
reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that• A Parent or responsible Adult should
costumes are short enough to prevent tripping,always accompany young children on their
entanglement or contact with flame.neighborhood rounds.
• Consider adding reflective tape or• Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for• By using a flashlight, they can see and
greater visibility.be seen by others.
• Secure emergency identification (name,• Stay in a group, walk slowly and
address, phone number) discreetly withincommunicate where you are going.
Halloween attire or on a bracelet.• Only trick-or-treat in well known
• Because a mask can limit or blockneighborhoods at homes that have a porch light
eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenicon.
makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.• Remain on well-lit streets and always
• When shopping for costumes, wigs anduse the sidewalk.
accessories, purchase only those with a label• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the
indicating they are flame resistant.farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Think twice before using simulated• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
knives, guns or swords. If such props must be• Never enter a stranger's home or car
used, be certain they do not appear authentic andfor a treat.
are soft and flexible to prevent injury.• Obey all traffic and pedestrian
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteriesregulations.
for all children and their escorts.• Always walk. Never run across a
• Plan ahead to use only batterystreet.
powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of• Only cross the street as a group in
candles in decorations and costumes.established crosswalks (as recognized by local
• This is also a great time to buy freshcustom).
batteries for your home Smoke Alarms.• Remove any mask or item that will
• Teach children their home phonelimit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway
number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their localor alley.
emergency number) if they have an emergency• Don't assume the right of way.
or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can beMotorists may have trouble seeing
dialed free from any phone.Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops,
• Review with your children the principledoesn't mean others will.
of "Stop-Drop-Roll," should their clothes catch fire.• Never consume unwrapped food items
• Openly discuss appropriate andor open beverages that may be offered.
inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.• No treats are to be eaten until they
• Consider purchasing individuallyare thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.
packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe• Law Enforcement authorities should be
non-food treats) for those who visit your home.notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful
• Take extra effort to eliminate trippingactivity.
hazards on your porch and walkway. CheckAFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:
around your property for flower pots, low tree• Wait until children are home to sort
limbs, support wires or garden hoses that mayand check treats. Though tampering is rare, a
prove hazardous to young children rushing fromresponsible Adult should closely examine all treats
house to house.and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or
• Learn or review CPR skills to aidsuspicious items.
someone who is choking or having a heart attack.• Try to apportion treats for the days
• Consider safe party guidelines whenfollowing Halloween.
hosting an Adult or Office Party.• Although sharing is encouraged, make
FUN ALTERNATIVES:sure items that can cause choking (such as hard
• Find a special event or start one incandies), are given only to those of an
your own neighborhood.appropriate age.
• Community Centers, Shopping MallsHalloween for Kids and Dads
and Houses of Worship may have organizedHalloween's just around the corner. And while your
festivities.kids are all set to have a blast, they will
• Share the fun by arranging a visit to aappreciate your effort and participation in making
Retirement Home or Senior Center.it a memorable day for them. Of course, some
• Create an alliance with Collegeactivities are traditionally dad's domain. A fun
Fraternities, Sororities or Service Clubs forexcursion for any family is an annual trip to pick
children's face painting or a carnival.out a pumpkin, though sometimes, just picking
BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:one up at the grocery store is a good plan if you
• A good meal prior to parties andonly have time to do one thing. For a
trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters fromtongue-in-cheek, but accurate primer on carving,
filling up on Halloween treats.go to carving your jack o' lantern.
• Consider fire safety when decorating.For patterns and carving tips, check out
Do not overload electrical outlets with holidayjack-o-lantern.com, which has downloadable PDF
lighting or special effects, and do not block exitpattern for cutting out unique pumpkins.
doors.While commercial costumes are always an option,
• While children can help with the fun ofit's not difficult to create spooky costumes for
designing a Jack O' Lantern, leave the carving toyour kids when they go 'Trick or Treating.' Helping
adults.them put together costumes from material
• Always keep Jack O' Lanterns and hotreadily available at home will be a fun exercise in
electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations,creativity for them that will also save you a few
flammable materials or areas where children andgood dollars. Here are some amazingly simple
pets will be standing or walking.Halloween costume ideas that you could use or
• Plan and review with your children theinnovate upon.
route and behavior which is acceptable to you.When it comes to dads and their kids, often the
• Do not permit children to bicycle,simplest activities give the most joy. Curve a
roller-blade or skateboard.pumpkin together during Halloween is a fun
• Agree on a specific time whenactivity that stimulates kids' creative faculties. Find
revelers must return home.more about Halloween safety tips on Halloween
• Along with flashlights for all, olderfestival.
children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and