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Halloween Safety Tips
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Trick-or-Treaters
  • Carry a flashlight
  • Walk, don't run.
  • Stay on Sidewalks
  • Obey traffic signals
  • Stay in familiar neighborhoods
  • Don't cut across yards or driveways.
  • Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
  • Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
  • Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)
  • Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
  • Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
  • (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
  • Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
  • Approach only houses that are lit.
  • Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.
   
Parents
  • Make your child eat dinner before setting out.
  • Someone in the group should carry a cell phone to call home or 911.
  • Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
  • If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
  • If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
  • Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
  • You should know where they're going.
  • Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
  • Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.

Homeowners
  • Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
  • Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
  • Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
  • If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
  • Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
  • Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
  • Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

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