Have a Safe and Spooky Halloween

Kids love Halloween and so does  FirstAidMonster.  Memories of loaded pillow cases, full size candy bars, and mega sugar rushes surround the infamous October 31st holiday.  Back then, we didn’t have to worry.  Now, trick or treating can be unnerving to allow our children to wander in the dark around the neighborhood either with their friends or parents.  So what can a responsible parent do to help children be prepared for Halloween and have fond memories?

Check out our Top 10 Halloween Safety Tip List below for more some helpful suggestions:

Our Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips:

1. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never enter a stranger’s home.
2. 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 (no child should ever be trick-or-treating alone).
3. When in doubt, throw it out!  Inspect your child’s candy before they eat it.  It’s safest to eat only candy that is individually wrapped and not homemade.  If there is anything suspicious about a Halloween treat, don’t risk it.
4. A word on masks:  The eye holes in masks should be large enough for your child’s peripheral vision.  Also, check to make sure that no part of your child’s custom restricts breathing.
5. Take the time to make sure there are no tripping hazards on on your porch, steps, and walkway.  Check for flower pots, bikes, sticks / branches, garden hoses, or anything that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from one house to the next.
6. Motorists: Watch for children in dark clothing that may be running between parked cars or walking on the roadways, medians, and curbs.  Be sure to carefully look for pedestrians when entering or existing driveways.
7. Make sure that you and your child are visible.  Wear bright colored clothes, to counteract dark clothes try adding reflective strips to to your child’s costume or candy bag.  Carry a flashlight or glow stick so you can see where you are walking.
8. Use the internet to check for registered sex offenders in the area.  Make sure your trick-or-treat route excludes any flagged houses.
9. Serve your kids a filling meal before they go trick-or-treating.  This way they won’t have the urge to chow down on candy before you can inspect it.  It will also cut down on sugar induced tummy aches.
10. Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop or accessory to their costume that it is soft and flexible enough no injuries will occur if they trip or fall on it.

From all of us at FirstAidMonster, have a safe & happy Halloween!