Rising Sun Karate Academy – Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for children. Here are some tips to help ensure they have a safe holiday!
Choose a Halloween costume that is fireproof and has full visibility. If the costume includes props of any kind, be sure they are smooth and flexible and do not create a fall or poke hazard. Use reflective tape on wrists or ankles to add sparkle to any costume. Flashlights also make a great prop.
Always have children trick or treat in groups and use a buddy system within the group, even for teens. Talk to children and teens before house to house activities about how to maintain their safety. Only trick or treat at houses with front porch lights on. Always go to the door with your buddy. Never go into a house even for a moment, be polite but do not allow any person to touch, hold or pick you up. Never trick or treat alone.
Encourage youngsters to be careful around pets and other animals. Pets are easily over excited and costumes often spook otherwise calm animals. Be very cautious around animals when in costume and never reach out for them when masked.
Cross the street at corners and look both ways before crossing. Remind children and teens to walk away from the edge of bushes and avoid dark spots on streets, at alleyways and anyplace someone could lay in wait. Teach children how to present a personal fence to draw attention and how to say “Stay Back!” or “Leave Me Alone!” Teach children how to “Go Crazy” if they are grabbed or pulled by a predator.
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!
Remind kids not to eat any treats until a responsible adult has inspected them. Consider providing your youngsters with some “safe” candy from home to snack on while they are trick or treating, so they are not tempted to violate this rule.
Teach children to avoid any candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.
Be aware that kids under four shouldn’t have popcorn or hard candy – both are choking hazards.
If you plan on welcoming trick or treaters at your door, check the porch and any part of the yard that trick or treaters will use. Remove hazards kids could trip over like garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Sweep leaves off sidewalks and from steps and make sure surfaces are not slippery. It’s wise to restrain pets that might jump on or bite a child.
Resources: FBI; SMSA, FBI Uniform Crime Reports, U.S. Bureau of Justice; The National Center For Missing And Exploited Children, Warrior Personal Safety & A. Arango, American Academy of Pediatrics, Halloween Web, & CSPC.
