Are you prepared for Halloween? My daughter Sofi has changed her mind about 4 times between what she wants to be and her final request was to be a half flying horse, half girl, and vampire all wrapped into one. She's 6 and still thinks all things are possible. In the excitement of the night with the costumes and the candy it can cause children to forget to be careful. Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe. Below are some great tips I have found to help you and your children have a safe and fun Halloween. Again you may wonder why as a Insurance agency we would be posting info on Halloween safety. We are in the protection business and to us that protection does not stop after issuing you a home owners policy or a life insurance policy or any insurance type you have with us.
Parents:
Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
Establish a return time.
Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Costume Design Safety:
Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath. (This is a tip for our out of Arizona readers :) Halloween night this year in Phoenix valley is predicted to be in the low 80's)
Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
Face Design:
Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead.
Follow manufacturer's instruction for application.
If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
Accessories:
Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
On the way:
Children should understand and follow these rules:
Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks. (I had not heard of this before finding it as a tip)
Treats:
To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing:
Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Post from Employee of Colgrove Financial - Sonya Cober sonya@wearingtoomanyhats.com