Halloween Safety Tips Offered By Prince William County Fire Chief, Health District

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Halloween is inching ever closer for families in Prince William County. In order to ensure everyone stays safe this holiday, officials from the Prince William Health District and the Prince William County Fire & Rescue System outlined several safety recommendations.

In a news release, the fire and rescue system urged parents to keep a close eye on their kids during festivities. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween.

Still, the kids aren't the only ones who need to be careful on Halloween. "Common injuries on Halloween are slips, trips, and falls which are four times as likely to occur on Halloween, then on any other night of the year," the fire system said in their news release.

Here are some of the safety tips for trick-or-treaters:

• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
• Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
• Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
• Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic are still an ongoing concern for many residents. Any trick-or-treater younger than 12 years old has not been vaccinated, so residents should still take necessary precautions, the Prince William Health District said.

Instead of a party, the health district said residents might want to opt for a lower-risk activity. For example, visiting a pumpkin patch, watching a spooky movie at home, or hosting a virtual costume contest.

For those that do go trick-or-treating, the health district said bringing a mask is a good idea, in case some locations get crowded. Trick-or-treaters may also opt to bring hand sanitizer with them.

Anyone staying at home and handing out candy should also follow some mitigation measures, the health district said. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, unvaccinated residents can wear a mask while giving out candy. Residents can also choose to use a candy bowl or candy chute to maintain social distancing instead of handing candy out face-to-face.

See also: Trick-Or-Treat: When, Where To Get Halloween Candy In Woodbridge