Tips for keeping Halloween safe

For some people, Halloween is the ultimate holiday, more fun than most, more silly than all.

Where else can you dress up with the intended purpose of scaring the daylights out of adults and little kids alike (or pretend to), adorn your house and yard with decorations that have no other purpose than to assist your costume in its role or send a message to your neighbors, and give away and keep sugar-loaded sweets all on one night? With complete approval of the vast majority of your community?

And in some cases, members of that community add to the mix by hosting parties in which not only sweets take center stage, but so does alcohol.

And yet, lurking just outside the perimeter of light that gives little ones and their adult handlers a sense of security as they approach your door, are myriad opportunities that could turn this fun holiday into a tragedy.

So, while we still have time to create a “To Do List” for the holiday, we should make time to fix any hazards that may exist in our area of responsibility.

At the top of the list are the costumes.

The National Fire Protection Association

urges parents to buy only costumes clearly labeled “flame resistant” or “flame retardant.” This is especially important because of the risk of open candles. Despite common belief that all costumes, wigs, masks and other accessories are made of flame-resistant materials, they may be but are not necessarily. Also, we regularly hear of mislabeled outfits that can be very dangerous, particularly if manufactured outside of America.

When creating a costume, avoid highly flammable fabrics and accessories. Tightly weaved nylon and polyester are good options. A fire-retardant spray can be added, as well. Cotton, particularly loosely weaved, is a terrible choice for a costume.

Candles used as decorations inside at Halloween parties are a hazard, too, especially when put too close to crepe paper or in a place where they are knocked over easily or can ignite clothing.

Are the driveway and sidewalk free from obstacles? Is lighting adequate?

How about pets? Do you have dogs that roam freely inside or out and aren’t used to seeing trolls, goblins and witches descend on their humans, demanding loot? Could the gentlest of canines suddenly turn into the best home-front defenders in the world?

Keeping pets inside and away from the door is probably a good idea, for them and the “Trick or Treaters.”

Have there been any storms in your area lately? Did high winds leave sticks, branches or debris that could trip up the unwary? Are there piles of wet leaves in your yard or on the sidewalk that can be as slippery as ice? Did you leave rakes or other tools in the yard? If not removed they could be an accident waiting to happen.

And what about that Halloween party? It is a great excuse to have some laughs with friends, and, if kids are invited, maybe save you from wandering unfamiliar neighborhoods in an endless quest for candy for the kids.

But did you plan on a designated driver? New Year’s Eve has no lock on away-from-home partying, and police have no reason to excuse over-the-limit driving on Halloween any more than other nights. So, give the other side of the holiday some thought.

It is, after all, only one night a year. Some prior planning can keep it that way.