Halloween safety
Reminders from Health Canada for a spooktacular Halloween
With little ghosts and ghouls getting ready for Halloween, Health Canada is providing parents and caregivers of tips and tricks to keep their kids safe.
“It’s a fun and exciting time of year,” said Susan Talbot, product safety officer at Health Canada, Atlantic region.
“You can help keep little ones safe and secure by planning the right outfit, avoiding danger when decorating and playing it safe while trick-or-treating.” Talbot recommends choosing costumes and accessories such as beards, wigs, wings, and tails that are labelled flame-resistant, while avoiding costumes that are too big or have long, dangling pieces that children can trip over. Nylon or heavyweight polyester costumes are best with bright colors that can be easily seen by motorists, while reflective tape can also be added to increase visibility. “It’s a good idea to use makeup or face paint instead of masks, as improperly fitted masks can interfere with your child’s vision or breathing. You can test a small patch of skin in advance of Halloween night to see if there is any sensitivity or allergy to any of the ingredients in the cosmetic,” said Talbot.
They advise that LED candles or lights should be considered to use in jack-o-lanterns and decorations. If candles with wicks are used, make sure to place decorations away from curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave them unattended. Indoor and outdoor decorative lights should also be checked regularly for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections. It is also important to not overload extension cords.
As for trick-or-treating, parents should examine the treats and toys that are brought home and remove any choking hazards like gum, peanuts, hard candies and small toys.
“Enjoy Halloween, and make safety part of the fun,” said Talbot.
For any questions or concerns, contact Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety program at: 1-866-662-0666 or: cps-spc@ hc-sc.gc.ca