Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids! You certainly don't want that excitement to end with an accident. To help ensure that your little ghosts and goblins have a safe holiday, here are some Halloween safety tips to follow:
Costume Planning
- Avoid accessories with sharp ends. Tripping while carrying something sharp could result in a serious injury.
- Costumes should be bright and reflective. For greater visibility, add reflective tape to both bags and costumes.
- To avoid a surprise reaction to makeup, test ahead of time in a small area.
- Remove all costumes and makeup before going to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Carving Pumpkins
- For small children, painting pumpkins is much safer than carving. (Here are 4 no-carve pumpkin ideas your kids can do!)
- Avoid using candles to light your pumpkin. Battery-operated lights are easier and safer.
- Pumpkin carving kits are a good choice for kids, adults, and pumpkins. The small, serrated pumpkin saws in the kits are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin flesh and they are not sharp enough to create a deep wound in the skin.
Trick-Or-Treat Time
- If your child will be trick-or-treating alone, make sure they know what to do if they become lost.
- Young children should always be with an adult.
- If you have older children who will be going along, plan a route and set a time they must be home. Make sure they know to only go to homes with a porch light on and to never go inside for their treat.
- Keep an eye out when crossing the street. Just because you see the car coming, doesn't mean the driver can see you.
- Carry a flashlight to see and be seen after the sun goes down.
- Examine all Halloween treats before your children consume them.
Safety Tips for Motorists
- The National Safety Council recommends discouraging new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
- Watch for children walking in the street. There's a good chance the excitement of the evening will distract them from being alert to moving vehicles.
A little Halloween safety goes a long way in making an October full of fun memories for everyone!
This story was originally featured in our monthly Macaroni Kid Safety newsletter.
