Keeping ghosts and goblins safe

01Oct08

Reprinted from Dayton Children’s Safety Clips for Child Safety Advocates

Avoid the dangers

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, October 31 is the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians. Children under 15 are more than twice as likely to be killed while walking on Halloween as on any other night of the year.

Protect your little ghosts and goblins with these safety tips from Dayton Children’s:

• Teach children to travel only in familiar areas and along a pre-established route. Parents should have a copy of the planned route at home.
• Restrict trick-or-treating visits to homes with porch or outside lights on. Tell children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult.
• Children should wear light-colored costumes, should have reflective elements or should attach reflective tape to dark costumes.
• Remove breakable items or obstacles including tools, ladders and children’s toys from steps, lawn and porch. Keep jack-o-lanterns lit with candles away from landings or doorsteps where costumes might brush against the flame.
• Avoid giving choking hazards including small toys, gum, peanuts and hard candy to small children. Consider giving out non-edible treats such as pencils and stickers.
• Tell children to bring treats home before eating them. Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed.
• Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face. Makeup is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct vision. Make sure any masks worn fit securely. Cut eye holes large enough for full vision.
• Dress children in costumes short enough to avoid tripping and with shoes that are appropriately sized. Adult shoes are not safe for trick-or-treaters. The larger size makes it easier for them to trip and fall.
• Don’t let children carry flexible knives, swords or other props. Anything they carry could injure them if they fall.
• Tell children to stay on the sidewalk at all times. Stay off roads, and cross streets at crosswalks or well-lit intersections. Watch younger children when they cross the street.

Be a responsible driver, as well

Drivers also need to do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Dayton Children’s and Safe Kids Greater Dayton reminds motorists to be extra careful this Halloween and recommend that
drivers be especially alert in residential neighborhoods, drive slowly and expect heavy pedestrian traffic, and drive with your full headlights to spot children from greater distances. This Halloween let’s
make sure all of our little ghosts and goblins are protected!

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Tags: Halloween, holiday, Safe Kids, safety, trick-or-treat