Halloween Trick or Treater Safety Tips

It's that time again when children enjoy dressing up and roaming the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in search of some of their favorite candy. To keep your little goblins safe, just take a minute and read the following Safety Tips for Halloween...! Have a great and safe time this Halloween season. Booooo.....!!!

Trick-or-Treaters

Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths.
Use fresh flashlight batteries. Check it BEFORE you leave the house.
Chemical GLOW in the DARK LIGHT STICKS can be used along with flashlights.
Stay on the Sidewalks.
(If their is no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road.
Walk SINGLE file, facing the traffic.
Obey ALL local traffic signals.
Cross only at corners, with adults.
DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
DO NOT assume you have the right of way.
Because one car stops, doesn't mean others will...!
Trick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods.
DO NOT cut across strangers yards or driveways.
Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
Set the watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
Make sure your costumes don't drag on the ground.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, and they should fit properly.
Make sure your shoe laces are tighted tight. You can trip...!!!
Avoid wearing your mask while walking from house to house.
Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
Avoid pointed props such as spears, or wands that endanger other children's eyes.
Wear clothing and costumes with reflective tape or "Glow in the Dark" markings.
A flashing In Sight At Night Safety Strobe Light can also be attached to children AND adult costumes. Proper SAFETY knows no age barrier...!
Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.
Always use the front door, NEVER go to the back of a house.

Parents

Make sure your child eats a good dinner before going out Trick-or-Treating. They need proper energy tonight...!!!
If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
Make sure you work into your child's OR adult Halloween costume, reflector strips, a FLASHING safety light or the very popular GLOW LIGHT STICKS to make everyone more visible and much safer at night. SAFETY FIRST tonight of all nights...!
Teach your child how call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone.
Bring your child for a visit to your local police or fire department.
Children should carry several quarters so they can call home.
Let them borrow the FULLY CHARGED family cell phone, with home number ready.
Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
Set their watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT allow your children to wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
Avoid streets under construction. There are holes and pits. Use common sense.
Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
Older children should trick-or-treat in groups.
You should know WHERE they're going and with WHO they are going with.
Although product tampering is rare, tell the children to bring ALL the candy home to be inspected BEFORE consuming anything.
Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks like tampering.
If you child has an ALLERGY, VERY IMPORTANT to look at the ingredients of the treats they bring home.

Homeowners

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, garden hoses, dog leashes and low flower pots. These objects can trip the young trick-or-treater.
Be sure the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated and clear of obstacles. Double check ALL the outside lights...!!!
GLOW LIGHT STICKS or battery powered jack-o-lantern light are preferable to real flame candles.
If you do use candles, place the carved jack-o-lantern well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
Make sure that paper or cloth decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
NEVER leave any flaming candle unattended.
BE PREPARED. Have a FULLY CHARGED fire extinguisher handy, just in case...! BE PREPARED.
Pass out healthy food alternatives for visiting trick-or-treaters. Include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
Non-food treats: PEZ candy dispensers, small note pads, pencils, pens, stickers, erasers, coins.

Halloween Drivers

Drive and go slow, slow, slow all evening.
NO ONE should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type.
CAUTION: Young trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of you.
Obey ALL traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian.
Adult Halloween parties should have a designated driver.
If you drive a long distance, make arrangements to stay over.