While Halloween is a fun time for kids, anxious to roam the neighborhood in their costumes of choice for various treats, it is also a time for parents to be extra vigilant for possible safety hazards so your children can have a fun and safe Halloween experience. Some tips to make Halloween safe include:

Costume Safety-Choose Halloween costumes made of flame retardant material. Kids Halloween costumes should be short enough so that they don’t cause your child to trip and fall. Add some reflective tape to the costume or bag your child carries that will be visible in the dark. Masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well and not hinder visibility. If using face paint, make sure it is non toxic and hypoallergenic. Knives, swords and other accessories should be made of flexible material so as not to pose a hazard.

Trick-Or-Treat safety-Children should be well supervised by an adult at all times while trick-or-treating. Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods. Always carry a flashlight and stick to well-lit houses. Follow traffic signals, rules of the road and drive slowly. Avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys, sticking to the sidewalks of well lit streets.

Candy Safety-Instruct your children to bring all candy home before eating it so you can carefully inspect it for any signs of tampering. Tell children not to accept or eat anything that isn’t commercially wrapped, such as homemade cookies or muffins etc. Throw away candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or appear to have been tampered with, such as pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, resealed wrappers etc. Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.

General Safety Tips-Homeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well. Provide treats that are individually wrapped, or nonfood treats such as stickers and colorful erasers. Artificial lights and candles are a good alternative to real candles with a flame than can pose a fire hazard. If going to an adult Halloween party, make sure you don’t drink and drive. Select a designated driver if alcohol will be consumed.

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