Halloween Safety Tips

Did you know that kids between the ages of 5 and 14 are four times more likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween night than on any other night? If you’ve got kids, then be sure to take a look at this quick list of five Halloween safety tips and put them into practice. While pretty much all of them are common sense, they’re definitely worth keeping in mind just the same.

(1) Keep the costume safe. Make sure it fits well, avoid oversized or especially clunky shoes, don’t obscure your child’s vision with a mask (consider face paint instead), make sure their costumes are ‘flame resistant,’ and make sure your kids are visible. Flashlights are a must, and you should also consider glow sticks, reflectors, and/or glow-in-the dark stickers to keep your kids safe.

(2) Use your head. Accompany your kids when they go out, make sure that they only cross the street at a corner, and make sure they don’t enter someone’s home will trick-or-treating.

(3) Check their treats. While there might not be a razor blade in their apple, you should keep your eye for anything suspicious. Throw out anything that looks questionable, and don’t let your kids eat homemade treats unless you know and trust the person that gave it out.

(4) Prepare your home. Make sure your yard is clear of obstructions such as hoses, dog leashes and flower pots. Keep your lighted pumpkins located away from walkways or steps, and be sure to sweep away wet leaves. If you have pets, keep them confined — pets may get frightened or anxious with all the unfamiliar visitors.

(5) Be smart with decorations. Don’t let your kids carve a jack-o-lantern by themselves. Rather, let them trace the face with a marker and then do the cutting for them. Also consider replacing candles in jack-o-lanterns with battery powered lights, and keep in mind that some decorative items, such as bales of hay, are highly flammable. Finally, be sure that you don’t overload electical outlets with your decorations.

[Source: CNN/Money]