Trick-or-treating is just around the corner.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a number of tips to help make Halloween safe.
Costumes
- Choose costumes that are light-colored and more visible to motorists.
- Use reflective tape to decorate costumes and candy bags to increase visibility of children to drivers. Reflective tape may be purchased at hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods store.
- Use makeup rather than a mask; if your child’s costume does include a mask, make sure it fits snugly and that the eye holes are large enough to allow full vision.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
- Costumes should be short enough that a child will not trip and fall.
Pedestrians
- Engage in Halloween activities during the daylight hours, if possible.
- Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
- Remind children to walk, not run, and to only cross streets at crosswalks.
- Be sure your children are accompanied by a responsible adult who has flashlight. Flashlights or chemical light sticks should be use so that children can see and be seen by motorists.
- Remove obstacles from your lawn, porch, or steps if you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Make sure your front porch is well-lit.
- Avoid using candle-lit jack-o-lanterns if possible. If you do use candles, don’t place them near curtains, furnishings, or decorations. Move them off porches where children’s costumes may ignite.
- Keep your pets in another room when you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Small children should not carve pumpkins; instead, allow them to draw the designs on the pumpkin and adults may carve.
- Turn on an outside light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Treat Safety
- Instruct children to wait until they are home to eat any candy.
- Check candy and novelty toys for potential choking hazards.
- Make sure packaging doesn’t have any tears or tampering.
- Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
Motorists
- Slow down, especially in residential areas.
- Watch for children darting out from parked cars.
- When Driving Children around, use child safety seats or seat belts, and have children get out of cars on the curb side, not facing traffic.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Post by: Alice E.
