Make Halloween Less Spooky With These Safety Tips

It’s not ghouls, goblins and black cats that scare most parents, but all of the scenarios moms and dads run through their minds about what can happen to their kids.

We want our kids to be safe but we also want them to have fun.

Here are some tips to safeguard your children.

Trick-or-Treating Tips

• Trick-or-treat while there is still light outside.
• If you must trick-or-treat after dark, carry a flashlight for better visibility.
• A responsible adult should escort children while trick-or-treating. Children should not be allowed to be go out alone.
• Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time.
• Set a specific time by which older kids need to return.
• Tell your kids that they should never enter a stranger's home.
• Never cross the street from between parked cars.
• Always use the sidewalks. Do not walk in the street.
• Watch out for open flames from jack-o-lanterns while on porches. Don't allow costumes or long wigs to catch fire.
• Stay with your group, no wandering alone.
• Use battery powered lights - never use candles to light jack-o’-lanterns.
• Remove objects from the yard that present a hazard to children (garden tools, hoses, etc.).

Costume Tips

• Wear a costume that makes it easy to walk, see and be seen.
• Purchase costumes made of flame retardant material.
• Use glow in the dark reflective tape on your costume.
• Use makeup instead of a mask. A mask may keep you from seeing well. If you must wear a mask, take it off before crossing the street.
• Ensure that props like fake knives, swords, and toy guns are made from a flexible material to avoid accidental injury.
• Realistic-looking toy guns or other toy weapons should never be used.
• Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)

Tips on Treats

• Set rules about kids not eating treats until they get home.
• Inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
• Treats that have been opened should be thrown away.
• Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.

Tips for Drivers

• Drive slowly all evening.
• Be alert for kids darting out into the roadway from between parked cars.
• Be extra careful when pulling into and out of driveways.
• As always, avoid using your cell phone while driving.
• For adults: Designate a driver prior to drinking too much.

—Credit to the Mountain View Fire Department, California Highway Patrol and the Palo Alto Police Department.

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