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Halloween is a time for candy, trick-or-treating and costumes, but also safety.
There are many precautions one can take to have a safe night out while enjoying the festivities. According to SafeKids.org and KidsHealth.org, parents and children can make the night safer with strategies that include adding reflective tape to costumes and staying in a group.
Ways to make costumes safer:
- Adding a glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape to the costume and the candy bag
- Giving children glow sticks or flashlights to carry
- Selecting a costume that is not oversized, to prevent falls
- Selecting a light-colored costume will be seen better at night
- Choosing face paint over masks so as not to obstruct a child’s vision
- Putting a name tag with a cell phone number on a child’s costume, in case they get lost
When trick-or-treating, be aware of drivers and pedestrians:
- Look left and right when crossing the street, don’t assume cars will stop for pedestrians
- Walk on sidewalks or paths, and if you can’t, walk facing traffic
- Look out for cars that are turning or backing up
- Teach children to be aware of their surroundings and not run into the street or between parked cars
For older children who go out on their own:
- Have a planned route
- Go out with a group and carry a cell phone
- Go to houses that have porch lights on and don’t go into strangers’ homes or cars
Once you’re home with a bag full of candy:
- Check all the candy and treats to make sure they are sealed
- Throw out any candy that is torn, has holes or spoiled
- Before eating the treats, have children wash their hands, and after eating brush their teeth
- Keep track of how many treats children received; store the treats anywhere but their bedrooms
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