Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Be Safe on Halloween

 

For a safe Halloween, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Trick-or-Treaters:

• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. 
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags or wear bright reflective costumes to help drivers see you. 
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. 
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house. 
• Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. 
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. 
• Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. 
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. 
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. 
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. 
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. 
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Halloween Home Safety:

• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls. 
• Keep candle-lit jack-o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended. 
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting. 
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest. 
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On Halloween, remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely. Also, parents may want to teach their children how to call 9-1-1, if they have an emergency or become lost. For more information about these tips, visit www.cdc.gov/family/halloween.