October 2005 Newsletter

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS:

The Days are getting shorter, the nights a little cooler, and the store shelves are already stocked with candy. It's that time of the year once again. Every child's favorite holiday, HALLOWEEN is quickly approaching. We want you to have a fun, safe and happy Halloween, so we have some simple safety tips for both children and parents follow to insure your holiday safety this year.

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TRICK-OR-TREATERS BASIC RULES

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

Carry a flashlight to light your way (make sure you have installed fresh batteries in each flashlight).

Keep away from open fires and candles in porch and yard decorations (costumes can catch fire easily).

Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house or car

Be cautious of animals that may come to the door or be outside the house

Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating.

And, don't eat candy or drink beverages if the package is already opened.

Report any suspicious behavior to parents.

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COSTUME SAFETY

Make sure your costume doesn't drag on the ground.

Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume).

Wear a watch that can be read in the dark.

Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

Add reflective markings or tape to your costume (parents should add it to their clothing as well).

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BE STREET SMART

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.

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

Cross the street only at corners or crosswalks.

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

Remain on well lit streets, and stay on sidewalks.

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

Never cut across yards or use alleys.

Obey traffic signals and pedestrian regulations, only crossing the street as a group in established crosswalks.

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PARENTS

Costumes:

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

Review with your children the principle of “stop-drop-roll”, should their clothes catch on fire.

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

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

Plan ahead to use only battery-powered lanterns or chemical light sticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.

Put reflective tape on costumes and props.

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Street Safety:

Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.

Provide a flashlight to each child and escort (make sure you have installed fresh batteries in each flashlight).

Teach children their home phone number and how to call 911 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 911 can be dialed free from any phone.

Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

Do not permit children to bicycle, rollerblade or skateboard on Halloween night in their costume.

Provide emergency coins for emergency phone calls and/or a cell phone.

Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.

Provide your child with a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.

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Miscellaneous:

Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.

Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspicious.

Make sure items that can cause choking, such as hard candies are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Make your child the dinner before setting out so they will not be tempted to eat treats before they get home.

Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.

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HOMEOWNERS

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip Trick-or-Treaters.

Pets get frightened on Halloween, so put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a Trick-or-Treater.

Battery-powered Jack o’Lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.

If you do use candles, place the pumpkin or decoration well away from where Trick-or-Treaters will be walking or standing.

Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.

Healthy food alternatives for Trick-or-Treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins, and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.

Consider giving non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils stickers erasers and coins.

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TRICK-OR-TREAT ALTERNATIVES

Find a special event or start one in your neighborhood.

Community centers, shopping malls and Houses of Worship may have organized festivities.

Share the fun by arranging a visit to a retirement home or senior center.

Create an alliance with college for charity sororities or service close for children's face painting or a carnival.

BE SAFE!
AND HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Written by: Mark Spencer, MA, Safety Consultant, and Denise Bach, CEO, Kidz Safety Education Group. Visit http://www.kseg.org/ or call 800-318-8037 to learn more about kids safety or schedule a safety seminar for your kids.

© Copyright 2005 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

Sources: American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department and Children’s Safety Zone.