To keep the Halloween scares relegated to the haunted houses and away from child injury, follow these helpful tips on Halloween safety, courtesy of The Miami Laker.
Spooky and Safe Streets:
According to www.safekids.org, “On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.” To ensure safety on or near roads, trick-or-treaters should be: Seen, Aware, Free of anything that may obstruct vision, and Escorted by a vigilant chaperone, or for short “SAFE.”
Reflective costumes or carrying flashlights will make children visible to drivers, and in conjunction with children being aware of surroundings, being careful to keep masks away from the eyes when crossing streets, and being chaperoned will all lower risk of injury. Drivers should also be aware of their surroundings by eliminating distractions and take extra time to drive through residential areas.
No Tricks and All Treats:
Costume accessories should not be sharp to avoid accidents. Avoid wearing decorative contact lenses to lower risk of eye injury or infection. Pumpkin carvings should be handled by an adult and lit pumpkins should not be left unattended.
While trick-or-treating, sticking to a well-known and well-lit neighborhood path is safest. Never enter a home or vehicle for treats or accept rides from strangers. Avoid homes that are not well-lit.
Healthy Haunts:
Be sure to only eat the treats that have been inspected and approved by a parent or guardian. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should be sure that all treats are factory-wrapped, and throw away any spoiled or suspicious items. Eating a full meal before trick-or-treating will keep children from eating too many treats.
Enjoy a spooky and safe Halloween!