3 Safety Reminders For Halloween In Essex County: Cars, Candy, Airport

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Halloween is a fun time for people of all ages. But it’s also the deadliest day of the year for young pedestrians, experts say.

In Essex County – one of the most densely populated places in the state – it will be crucial to keep trick-or-treaters in mind if you get behind the wheel on Halloween. It could mean the difference between life and death, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA) northeast chapter.

An analysis of federal crash data shows that between 2007 and 2021, the deadliest day for child pedestrians aged 17 and under is Oct. 31. A total of 49 children across the country were killed on Halloween during that period, AAA Northeast says.

It isn’t just a dangerous time for young pedestrians, AAA adds – older walkers are at risk, too. Halloween is the second deadliest day for pedestrians of all ages, coming in second only to Nov. 1.

“Whether you’re out trick-or-treating with children or getting together with friends, safety should be paramount on Halloween,” said Robert Sinclair, senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast.

“Drivers must be especially vigilant between 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are the most vulnerable,” Sinclair said.

Experts offered some safety tips for parents and children who plan to hit the streets in search of candy on Halloween:

Trick-or-Treat Together – AAA recommends that parents accompany youngsters at least until the age of 12.

Review Trick-or-Treating Safety Precautions – Plan the route ahead of time. Remind children never to cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.

Check Costumes – Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision and where possible use face paint instead of masks. Check and adjust the length of costumes to avoid tripping and add reflective material or tape to keep kids visible. Carry a flashlight.

Buckle Up – If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, always use seat belts or appropriate car seats, no matter how short the trip is. Have children exit and enter from the sidewalk rather than from the road when possible.

CANDY, POISON AND HALLOWEEN

Every year, millions of Americans worry about the possibility that someone poisoned their kid’s candy. Although there have been rare cases of intentional malice over the years, the fear of poisoned candy is mostly an urban myth, many experts say.

But according to the New Jersey Poison Center, it doesn’t hurt to be careful on Halloween. And that doesn’t only include the sweet stuff, experts say.

“Halloween-related mishaps and accidents involving potential poisons go beyond the fear of contaminated candy,” said the center’s executive and medical director, Diane Calello.

Calello said that medical professionals at the center get calls throughout Halloween night for a range of problems, including glow sticks, face paint, allergic reactions to food poisoning, chemical burns, alcohol poisoning and even simple belly aches.

The Poison Control Center, which is based at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, offered the following Halloween safety advice:

• Avoid homemade treats when trick-or-treating.
• Teach kids that medicine is not candy. Lock up medicines to prevent accidental poisoning.
• Use non-toxic makeup to paint faces and body parts. Test on a small area of skin to be sure it will not cause an allergic reaction.
• Dry ice can cause severe burns and frostbite if it touches the skin or is swallowed. Use gloves to protect your skin.
• Look out for potentially dangerous products that look like candy.
• Keep your pets safe from poisoning from candies, chocolates and other Halloween-related items. Chocolate, cocoa, candy and anything sugarless can be poisonous to pets. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol can cause severe illness if pets eat products containing this ingredient. Keep dangerous products up high and out of sight and reach of pets. If any of these items are swallowed, get help fast.

Calling the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 is always the fastest way to get the medical help or information you need to prevent further injury, the center said.

AIR TRAVEL ON HALLOWEEN

Getting on a plane for the holiday? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has some advice that may help you avoid a headache on Halloween.

Some of their tips include:

THE 3-1-1 RULE – When traveling with homebrewed potions and lotions, remember TSA’s magic 3-1-1 rule. This means if traveling with a liquid, gel, cream, paste or lotion (including fake blood) each item can only be 3.4 ounces or less and must fit into a plastic quart-sized bag if being carried through a security checkpoint. If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, the rule applies. Larger quantities of liquids should be packed in a checked bag.

COSTUME PROPS – A costume prop is eerie-sistible but fake (or real) knives, hatchets, pitchforks, light sabers, brooms, swords and scythes must be placed in checked baggage. Never pack any explosive replicas, including grenades, bombs or rocket launchers, since these are all prohibited items in both carry-on and checked bags.

CANDY – Have a sweet tooth? Candy of all sizes is allowed through the checkpoint but liquid quantities must follow the 3-1-1 rule. It’s a good practice to remove any large bags of candy from a carry-on bag and place it in a bin so TSA Officers can easily identify it’s not something more sinister than sugary treats.

MASKS – If your Halloween garb includes a mask, it’s best not to wear it through security. Passengers wearing masks at the checkpoint will be asked to remove it so TSA Officers can properly ID them. Masks are fine when placed in a carry-on bag and can be put back on after going through the checkpoint.

FACEPAINTING – A painted face in homage to “IT” is perfect for nighttime terror, but TSA prefers travelers do not fully paint their faces when traveling through checkpoints. Officers still need to match travelers to their ID pictures.

SUPERHERO CAPES – A super hero without a cape often spells disaster, but when passing through a security checkpoint, please place capes in a carry-on bag or bin until the screening process is complete. A cape could trigger an alarm at the body scanner, resulting in a longer security process.

PUMPKINS – Juggling a jack-o-lantern through security is allowed (although not advised), so whether your pumpkin is decorated or carved, feel free to bring it in a carry-on bag. However, pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin butters that are liquid, creamy or spreadable have to be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and placed in your resealable liquids bag. Otherwise, make sure to check those items instead.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Ask TSA officials on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.