Red Cross shares Halloween safety tips
Halloween continues to be popular with kids of all ages; however, it can pose some safety challenges. The American Red Cross offers suggestions for safety.
“It’s important to plan ahead for Halloween fun and festivities to ensure everyone stays safe while participating in the many different activities surrounding this holiday,” said Lori Arnold-Ellis, executive director of the Greater Arkansas chapter of the Red Cross.
Here are some tips to consider to stay safe on Halloween:
TRICK-OR-TREATING
Make your trick-ortreaters visible to others. Provide kids with reflective gear, flashlights and glow sticks to help make the route easier for them to follow and more visible to any vehicles on the roads. Adding reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets can help increase your trick-or-treater’s visibility to traffic.
Keep your hands clean. Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you get home.
Practice pedestrian safety. Look both ways before crossing streets (at street corners). Use sidewalks to walk to the next destination. If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the roadway, while facing traffic. Cross at the corners of the street, not between parked cars.
Be considerate of other people. Only visit homes with a porch light on and accept treats at the door.
Know where your trickor-treaters are going and who they will be with. Have a parent or responsible adult accompany any younger children during Halloween activities.
Have an adult check all candy before eating. Dispose of any loose, open candy, or candy that could be a choking hazard or any unfamiliar brands.
HANDING OUT CANDY
Do not hand out candy if anyone in the household is not feeling well or isolating. This helps keep everyone as healthy as possible.
Provide proper lighting and sweep clear your sidewalks and steps. Having good lighting and a clear path helps visitors see where they are walking and avoid getting hurt.
DRIVING ON HALLOWEEN
Watch for trick-or-treaters. Sometimes people may forget to look both ways before crossing streets, so make sure you pay attention while driving. Many areas practice daytime trick-ortreating on Halloween too and will have children on the streets throughout the entire day.