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Community Corner

Halloween Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

Here's a quick list of easy tips to follow to avoid a Halloween horror.

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It’s that time of year again when kids (and adults) get to dress up, eat candy and have a good time on Halloween. With all the excitement and last-minute rushing around, children and parents sometimes forget basic safety precautions that can help avoid a Halloween horror.

Here’s a quick list of easy tips to follow, recommended by the CDC:

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  • Choose a costume that is well-fitting and doesn’t block vision in any way. Long dresses and masks can lead to trips and falls. Limit props with costumes to those that are short, soft, and flexible. Even a plastic sword can cause an injury when fallen on.
  • Trick-or-treat in groups where parents can supervise younger children. Stick to the community’s hours (6 to 8 p.m. in Plum, Oakmont and Verona) and go to well lit residential areas. It is preferable that you stay in your neighborhood where you know most of the people.
  • Bring a flashlight or make sure all kids’ costumes have a reflector on them so they can be seen. Discount stores sell flashing lights and glow sticks that are perfect for this, and may even enhance their costume.
  • Follow normal safety and traffic rules such as looking both ways when you cross the street, using crosswalks and sidewalks, and remind your children not to go into anyone’s house they don’t know.
  • Watch out for open flames in pumpkins, candles and luminaria. Long costumes and sleeves can catch fire quickly. Invest in some LED candles this year, or if you choose flame candles, keep them out of the way of traffic.
  • Inspect all candy and don’t let your children eat anything that’s unwrapped, or looks like it has been tampered with. Make sure you know the person well before eating anything homemade.
  • Minimize stress for your pets. Don’t feed them candy and make sure that they can’t get to wrappers they may choke on. Be wary that while they look cute in a costume, they may be agitated by the costume and extra excitement and not behave as normal.
  • While pranks may seem a fun part of Halloween, remind your kids that any kind of vandalism such as throwing eggs, spray painting, etc., is not acceptable and can be dangerous.  

Have a safe and spooktacular Halloween and remember to say “thank you” for each treat—or you may get a trick!

 

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