Trick-or-Treat Safety
As you ready your little ghouls and goblins for trick-or-treating, it’s important to review basic safety rules to help ensure their holiday is scary in the best possible kind of ways.
Here’s a terrifying Halloween fact: Two times as many child pedestrians die on Halloween compared to other days. Thanks to a too-often deadly combination of being out after dark and wearing vision-limiting costumes, what should be a fun evening of mischief and merriment, Halloween can quickly become an actual nightmare.
However, by taking a few simple precautions and following practices, trick-or-treaters and their escorts can safely navigate their way home with plenty of candy in tow.
Here’s where to start:
COSTUMES
Make sure costumes, wigs and accessories are all fire-resistant.
Make sure costumes and footwear don’t create built-in tripping hazards.
Attach reflective tape to the sides, front and back of costumes and bags or use glow sticks to keep trick-or-treaters visible after dark.
If possible, use make-up instead of masks, which can limit visibility. Be sure to test make up on a small area of skin before applying to a child’s face and remove all makeup before bed to prevent skin and/or eye irritation.
TRICK-OR-TREATING
Always accompany young children around the neighborhood. Older trick-or-treaters should only venture out in the company of at least one other.
Caution children against entering homes or cars for treats.
Only cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Keep to sidewalks and designated pathways. If there aren’t sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far off the road as possible.
Encourage children to walk and not run between houses.
Plan your route to keep road crossings to a minimum.
Only go to homes where a porch light is on.
Keep your eyes on the road and not on phones or other electronic devices.
TREAT EATING
Do not allow children to eat treats before they get home where you can inspect candy.
Do not allow children to eat anything that is not commercially wrapped or any treats with torn or damaged wrappers, including pinholes. Any treats that appear unusual or discolored or suspicious in any way should be thrown out.
If you have young children, remove any small candies, including hard candy, peanuts, or gum, as they may present a choking hazard.
If your child has a food allergy, be sure to read all labels carefully to make sure allergens aren’t present.
DRIVING SAFETY
Drive with your headlights on, even before dusk.
Be alert for kids, especially at intersections, medians and on curbs
If you’re transporting trick-or-treaters, make sure they’re buckled up appropriately in a car seat or with a seat belt each time they get in the car.
If a costume makes it difficult to buckle a car seat or belt correctly, remove the costume or problematic portion of the costume each time they get in the car.
Try to park in spot where you do not need to back up.
Enter and exit driveways, parking spots and side streets with extreme caution.
By being cautious and mindful of safety, you can make ensure Halloween is a treat for all.
Jaclyn Lozier, MD, FAAP, is the Chair of Pediatrics, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Medical Director, SVMC Pediatrics.
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