By Angel MedFlight Contributor
Children are bubbling with excitement as Halloween is right around the corner. They’ve picked out their costumes and plans are being sketched out for the family jack-o’-lantern. But before the kids set out on Halloween for buckets of treats, Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance wants to remind you of some tips for a safe Halloween.
When it comes to costumes, wear one that is brightly colored. You and your kids want to be seen as you walk through the neighborhood at dusk or later. Reflective tape on the costumes is a great addition. Costumes should not be restrictive or hinder the vision of a child. If the costume includes a toy weapon, wand or broom, make them out of paper or cardboard. They are much safer than those that are made from plastic, metal and wood. Wear comfortable footwear. Shoes that are don’t fit well could cause a child to fall. And always make sure costumes and wigs are made of a fireproof material.
What child doesn’t want to “dig in” to their stash of candy as soon as they get back to their house? Don’t let that happen. Adults should check all treats before they are consumed. A good hint is to have your kids eat a full meal before they begin their trick-or-treating trek through the neighborhood. This will help in them not being tempted to eat their treats before you’ve properly checked them. As for homemade treats (baked goods, Rice Krispie Treats), and fruits and nuts — they should not be eaten unless the parents know the person they came from.
A lot of this is common sense and we parents remember our folks telling us these things years ago. But it’s always good to get a refresher. For safe trick-or-treating visit only the homes in the neighborhood that are well-lit and make sure to plan your child’s route. Travel in a group or with adults and never enter a home. Another good tip for visibility is to trick-or-treat with a flashlight or glow stick. When crossing streets, cross at corners and never from between two vehicles.
Keeping your home safe is also important during Halloween. It’s best to not light candles around walkways. Think of using a battery-operated light source or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns or luminaries. If you’ve got good candy and some creepy decorations on the front door and porch, you may get high traffic — so make sure to keep your walkways well lit and unobstructed. Lastly, don’t let anyone you don’t know into your home.
Children are our treasures so make it a fun, and most of all, a safe (and spooky) night. Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance wishes everyone a happy and safe Halloween!
(Information for this article came from the Scottsdale and Phoenix Police Departments.)
