Halloween is fast approaching. Kids love to dress up, get together with friends, and go door-to-door hoping to find the full size candy bar. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. A little pre-planning can prevent unfortunate accidents that could turn out to be tragic for kids and trying for you. Here are some pointers for ensuring your house is a safe place for trick-or-treaters on October. 31.
Keep Kids Safe
- Never go into a strangers home
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision
- Don’t eat homemade candy unless you know the family
- Wear reflective clothing
- Have a flash light
- Look at all wrapped candy, if it has been opened toss it out
- Develop a route with your parents
- Go in a group of kids
- Set a curfew
Safety For Pets
Make sure your pet is in a safe and comfortable space or take them to a secure, relaxing location for the evening.
Home Safety
- Clean up your yard
- Make a clear well illuminated path to your door
- Remember that a lot of Halloween decorations like dried flowers, straw and crepe paper are highly flammable. Make sure to keep your decorations away from all open flames
- Make sure all outside lights are in good working order
- If you have a large display make sure electric cords are taped or secure to prevent tripping
- Practice indoor fire safety by checking all smoke detectors. Make sure candles are placed in a secure area
- Make sure windows and doors are locked at all times
- It’s never a good idea to answer the door after a certain time
Going To A Halloween Party?
- Never drink and drive
- Make plans to get home early
- According to the NHTSA, drunk drivers kill more than three times as many people on Halloween as they do on New Year’s Eve