Tips to keep children safe while trick-or-treating

As people of all ages prepare their Halloween costumes, everyone should remember that safety is key to having a fun Halloween night.

American Red Cross, the Department of Home Security and many other organizations provided the following tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe during Halloween:

Tips for trick-or-treaters and parents or guardians of trick-or-treaters

• Walk, don’t run
• See and be seen
  • Use face makeup instead of masks which make seeing difficult.
  • Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way.
  • Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
  • Have everyone wear light-colored clothing
• Know where your children are going. Accompany young children
• Only visit homes with a porch light on
• Accept treats at the door, never go inside
• Adults should check the candy before eating
  • Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards.
  • Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  • Children are twice as likely to be injured in a vehicle or pedestrian accident on Halloween compared to any other day of the year, according to the Department of Home Security.
• Be aware of and avoid open flames like candles in jack-o’-lanterns

Tips for people welcoming trick-or-treaters

• Light the area well so young visitors can see
• Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps. Clear your front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.
• Restrain pets so they don’t jump on or bite a trick-or-treater

Driving on Halloween

• Slow down and be alert for children in neighborhoods
• Turn on headlights
• Take extra time, look for children in intersections, medians and on curbs
• Enter and exit driveways slowly