Your Ultimate Resource for Halloween Safety

By Ian Seth Levine, Volunteer

For Halloween, I’ve been Mr. Clean, a circus strongman, and Jaws (in a full bodysuit). Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, but it can be stressful, especially if you have children.You want them to be safe, of course. But you don’t have time to consult some of the most respected names in safety.  For example, the Food & Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Or, the American Association of Pediatrics and the National Safety Council. Or, the American Automobile Association, several insurance companies, and The American Red Cross. That’s why I’ve gathered the best tips into one place; and made them easier to read, so you have time for what matters most.

Costumes

Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks that may limit vision. Test the make up the day before, and look for signs of irritation.

Wear prescription contact lenses, and avoid ones that say you don't need to see a doctor.

Wear tailored, flame-resistant, and reflective costumes with shoes that fit well. Carry accessories (e.g., sword, cane, stick) that only look sharp.

Before Trick-or-Treating

Use party games, such as bobbing for apples, as an opportunity for kids to get in some physical activity. Scrub the apples under cool running water with a produce brush.

Light your pumpkin with a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to prevent house fires. Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting.

Remove anything a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations. Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs. Sweep wet leaves or snow from sidewalks and steps. Restrain pets so they don't jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

During Trick-or-Treating

Carry a new flashlight and place it face down in the treat bucket to free up one hand. Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic. Look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing the street. Cross streets only at the corner, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block.

Inspect treats for signs of tampering: unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears. Throw away anything that looks suspicious, and call the police. In case of a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept anything that isn’t wrapped by a well-known company. Remove any choking hazards.

After Trick-or-Treating

Help prevent your child from getting Type 2 diabetes by playing with them for an hour a day.  Limit sugar-sweetened drinks and juice. Focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit screen time with televisions, tablets, and phones. See a dietician, often free through certain grocery chains.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Red Cross Halloween Safety - Tips and Tricks

By Hailie Duenkel, Volunteer

Halloween was first celebrated by the Celts on the eve of their harvest festival on November 1, approximately 2,000 years ago. A lot has changed since then, and I am sure Snickers and Batman masks were not a part of their celebration. The American Red Cross has some tips and tricks (not to be confused with tricks and treats) to ensure you and your family have a safe and happy evening.

Instagram: Mia.love.disnard 

Trick-or-Treater Safety
- Plan trick-or-treating routes to keep track of loved ones while out and about.
- An adult should accompany small children, and older children should travel in groups of four or five.

Twitter: ActuallyNPH 

- Only approach homes with front porch lights on.
- Never go inside to collect candy; only accept treats at the door.
- Walk only on the sidewalks and avoid streets and walking between cars.
- Take a flashlight with you to see and be seen better.
- Be careful around animals who may be out joining in the festivities.

 Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters
- Clear any debris leading from the sidewalk up to the front of your home. 
- Make sure pets are well restrained or not visible to the front door. 
- Turn porch lights on if you intend to welcome trick-or-treaters and make the path well lit.
- If driving, keep an extra close eye on trick-or-treaters crossing the street or walking behind vehicles.
- Inspect candy before passing out to ensure that all wrappers are intact.
- Avoid passing out any handmade treats.

Instagram: Mia.love.disnard 

Costumes and Candy Safety
- Make sure trick-or-treaters are clearly visible: bright colors, flashlights, reflective tape, and glow sticks are all good tactics.
- Avoid masks, as they are hard to see in while trick-or-treating near busy streets.
- Hem costumes to an appropriate length to avoiding tripping. This is also extremely important as costumes are often quite flammable and can catch on candles and open fires.
- An adult should check all the gathered candy before eating. (Discard any candy that has open or damaged wrappers, or candy brands you do not recognize.)

Halloween should be a day filled with magic and excitement. Children around the country look forward to planning their costumes throughout the year, and 2019 is no exception. Follow these tips from the Red Cross to ensure this year is the safest and most joyful Halloween night yet!

Instagram: Mia.love.disnard 

Spook-tacular Safety Tips for Halloween

Written by: Ramsha Asad, Volunteer

When the winds get cooler and the trees shed leaves then we know that autumn has arrived! People of all ages enjoy preparing for the last day of October, a.k.a. HALLOWEEN! Whether it’s trick-or-treating, hosting spooky parties, attending scary events or making creative costumes, many people are amused by this annual celebration.

However, with all the fun and entertainment of Halloween, it’s still possible to encounter a disaster. A friend of mine who dressed up as Batman unfortunately drank too much and disappeared during a party. None of us could trace him and he ended up waking up in a hotel lobby the next morning! This may sound funny but he was actually very lucky to be safe. Things could have been a lot worse if somebody tried to take advantage of his condition.

Therefore, it is very important to be safe at any celebration, including Halloween. Here are a few Red Cross safety tips so that you can have fun while feeling secure:

• Parents should make sure children can walk around safely in their costumes and costumes should also be flame resistant to avoid fire hazards.
• Younger children should not be left alone on their own. An adult should accompany them and be familiar with the exact route.
• People should only visit well-lit homes and never go inside.
• Parents should teach children not to eat their candy right away; parents should first check for brand names and the ingredients, especially if the child is allergic to something.
• Adults should be careful driving through neighborhoods since children could be crossing roads without carefully looking around.
• Download Red Cross First Aid App for expert advice on everyday emergencies. The content is available in both English and Spanish.

Be safe and be spooky!

Hallie & Owen’s Halloween Poem

Safety Tips for a Sweet Halloween  

Written by: Robyn Taylor, volunteer

Hallie and Owen were excited to collect a bag of candy.
They were prepped with safety tips that were sure to come in handy.

Their costumes were flame-resistant.
Their painted on masks were more efficient.

Hallie and Owen brought along flashlights and reflective gear,
As safety is always a priority no matter the time of the year.

Hallie and Owen are quite young.
Grown-ups accompanied them on their trick-or-treat run.

All parties made sure to stay off the street.
The sidewalk was the best way to collect the treats.

They looked both ways and didn’t cut yards.
They never crossed between parked cars.

They watched out for bats, animals and all unsafe frights.
They only stopped at houses that were lit with lights.

They knocked on many doors, though never going inside.
They stopped at every house, completing their preplanned guide.

After a night of fun, they both craved something sweet.
Though they both knew an adult had to inspect before they could eat.

The adults removed loose candy, opened packages and choking hazards.
Unfamiliar brand names were gone as well, sorting candy is a serious matter.

When the goodies were sorted, Hallie and Owen let out a cheer.
They ate a few pieces and were already excited for next year!

October in a Nutshell

Make Halloween Safe & Less Scary

by Squiggy the Squirrel

Whether you’re a goblin in Alexandria, a superhero in Prince George’s County, a zombie in DC, or a witch in Prince William County, Halloween characters will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween's greatest hazards aren't vampire and villains, but falls, costume mishaps, and automobile accidents. The Red Cross and I want your family to have a safe Halloween so we're providing these tips - the lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheros to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don't go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slighter or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes, and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you're seen whether you're a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you're done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

Consider downloading the Red Cross First Aid app in case of any trick-or-treating emergencies. This app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. It includes videos, interactive quizzes, and simple step-by-step advice. It's never been easier to know first aid! 

Glow sticks, lanterns, and safety, oh my! Bring along these fun favorites from the Red Cross Store on your Halloween outing and be prepared for life's emergencies!

And my final note - whether you're an adult, kid or team, have a safe and happy Halloween!

xo,
Squiggy