Tips To Keep Your Trick-Or-Treaters Safe This Halloween

Attention all ghouls and goblins: Friday is Halloween! (We probably didn’t need to tell you that, did we?)

Attention parents of those ghouls and goblins: The American Red Cross would like to remind everyone that the biggest risks on All Hallows Eve aren’t werewolves and vampires. They instead include falls in the dark, costume mishaps and traffic accidents.

The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to ensure the spooky evening is fun for all:

Tips for Ghosts and Goblins:

• Look for flame-resistant costumes.
• Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children as they make their way around the neighborhood.
• Make sure your trick-or-treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags. Even better, have everyone wear light-colored clothing in order to be seen.
• Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.
• Instead of masks, which can cover the eyes and make it hard to see, consider using face paint.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around pets and any other animals.

Tips for Welcoming Ghosts and Goblins

If you are welcoming trick-or-treaters at your home, make sure all of your outdoor lights are on. Other safety steps include:

• Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain any household pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!