Stay Safe This Halloween

Approximately 35 million children go trick-or-treating every Halloween!  Soon your neighborhood will be full of ghosts, cowboys, princesses, movie characters, and many more fun, creative costumes. If you plan on taking your children trick-or-treating, here are some safety tips you should follow.

• Walk safely and put down your phone. Halloween is a busy time in most neighborhoods. There are kids and adults walking around, and it is important to be careful while you are walking. Cross the street at the corners instead of jaywalking, try to stay on the sidewalk or walking paths, and put your phone down and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Trick-or-treat as a group. If your children are under the age of 12, it is a good idea for them to go with adult supervision. If your child is going with a group of friends, make sure they travel as a group and know the route they are taking before they leave so you know where they will be.
• Select safe but fun costumes. Be sure your child’s costume does not obstruct their vision too much. Whenever possible, try to use makeup or face paint. Also, if you plan on trick or treating at night, it may be a good idea to put reflective tape on the costumes and bring a flashlight.
• Select costume props carefully. Props can be very fun to add to a costume, but make sure that the pointy ends of knives, pitchforks, etc. are smooth and flexible.
• Pet Safety: Keep pets indoors to avoid them becoming anxious or scared by costumes or loud noises. Some pets might bolt or become aggressive when startled.
• Drive Slowly: If you’re out driving, be especially cautious in residential areas where kids are trick-or-treating.

As you finalize your kid’s costumes and stock up your treat bowl, we hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!