Halloween Safety Guide

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Parents

* A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
* Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
* Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
* Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.
* Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
* Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
* If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
* If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
* Costumes should be bright or reflective. Use reflective tape if necessary.
* Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
* You should know where they're going.
* Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
* Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.
* Review with your children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire.
* Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
* Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.
* Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.
* Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Parents Please Review this list with your Trick-or-Treaters:

* By using a flashlight, you can see and be seen by others.
* Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
* Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.
* Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
* Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
* If no sidewalk is available, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
* Never cut across yards or use alleys.
* Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
* Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
* Always walk. Never run across a street.
* Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).
* Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
* Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
* Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.
* No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.
* Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
* Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
* Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)
* Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
* Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
* Secure emergency ID (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.

* Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
* Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater. Don't leave pets outside on Halloween. Many animals disappear as pranksters and those with darker intentions tease, abduct, torture, or even kill pets. Be especially watchful of black cats, who which are frequent targets of cruel activities on Halloween. Try to keep black cats inside for the week of Halloween. Many animal shelters make black cats unavailable for adoption the week before Halloween because of black cat abuse. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags.
* Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
* If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
* Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
* Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
* Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.
* Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.
* Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
* Always keep Jack O' Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking.
* Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.
* Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.
* This is also a great time to buy fresh batteries for your home Smoke Alarms!