Keep your ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children but comes with increased risk of injury, including pedestrian-vehicle collisions, falls and burns. Keep your little monsters safe this season by managing the risks: look first, wear the gear and get trained.


General Tips

Look First

• Choose a route for your children’s trick-or-treating before Halloween night and set a time for them to return home.
• Accompany children under eight years old. Older children should trick-or-treat with a responsible adult or in a group. No child should trick-or-treat alone.
• Have your child wear face paint or cosmetics rather than masks as they can interfere with vision.
• Make sure your child carries a flashlight.
• If you are giving out treats, leave your porch light on to light the children’s way up your path and steps.

Get Trained

• Teach children to stay in well-lit areas and only visit houses with the outside light on.
• Teach children to always walk on sidewalks. Never walk on the road or across yards.
• Remind your trick-or-treater to walk, never run.

Falls 

Look First

• Make sure costumes and footwear fit properly. Costumes should not be too loose or too long. Avoid large costumes with baggy sleeves and skirts.
• Never allow children to carry sharp, dangerous props such as knives or swords. These could cause injuries in a fall.
• Remove yard obstacles that could be hazards in the dark, such as tools, toys and lawn ornaments.

Motor Vehicles 

Look First

• When driving in residential areas, slow down and be alert for children.

Wear the Gear

• Make your child visible. Add reflective tape to costumes and bags.

Get Trained

• Teach your children how to cross the road safely using Point, Pause and Proceed.
• If there is no crosswalk, cross at the nearest corner. Point across theroad to tell drivers you want to cross.
• Pause until the cars stop. Proceed when it is safe. Keep checking fortraffic.
• Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by a responsible adult or older child when crossing the street.

Burns

Look First

• Make sure all costumes, wigs and hats are made of fire-resistant materials.
• Children should not play near lit jack-o’-lanterns.
• Keep jack-o’-lanterns away from curtains and other flammable materials.

Treats

Look First

• Have children bring home treats before eating them. Send snacks with them to eat if they get hungry.
• Check for punctures or holes in the candy wrapping or surface of fruits.Cut fruit open before eating.