Halloween is one of the most exciting celebrations for children. Not only is it fun for them to wear their favorite superhero or character costumes, but it’s also an adventure to go out at night and knock on friends’ doors in exchange for sweet treats. These Halloween safety tips for parents ensure a fun and spooktacular evening trick-or-treating with the family.
Prevent pedestrian accidents
According to Fortune, October is the second deadliest month for motor vehicle-related accidents and 17% of these incidents involve pedestrians rushing to cross an intersection. While these facts are alarming, keeping your children safe during Halloween mainly involves using common sense.
Since the trick-or-treat activity generally takes place in the evening, after the sun sets, it’s crucial to keep a flashlight with you to light up the path and guide your children as they walk around your neighborhood.
Always use the crosswalk and look both ways as you hold your kids’ hands when you cross streets. Avoid unnecessary distractions by putting your phone away and make eye contact with the drivers before crossing. Don’t rush; the drivers can wait!
Costume-related safety
Wearing bright and colorful costumes makes your children easier to spot in the dark and much safer. Be sure they wear well-fitting, comfortable and warm clothes as temperatures drop significantly in the Fall once the sun goes down.
If your kids’ costumes include props such as swords or wands, be sure the tips are dull to avoid injuring themselves or other children. If your kids wear anything other than makeup over their face make sure they can see well and can breathe comfortably.
Watch those sweet treats
Americans spend an average of $47 per household on candy every Halloween. Reader’s Digest states that over 45% of the population in the United States buys sweet treats for this celebration. That's a total of $2.1 billion spent on candy!
As tempting as eating all this sweet goodness seems to your children, it’s always best to check the treats at home before letting your kids dig in. Look for expiration dates and allergy information and always be sure to check that the treats are commercially wrapped. Toss any candy that has no wrapping around it or looks tampered with.
Too much of a good thing can spoil any holiday. Discuss ahead of time with your kids how many pieces of candy they are allowed to eat on Halloween night and on the following days.
Other tips to keep in mind
Most Halloween-related incidents happen due to fires in the house. Decor items such as lights or candles pose a hazard if not placed in safe areas.
Avoid putting lights where the electrical wiring might get wet. Be sure the area remains dry at all times and unplug lights if it starts raining.
Don’t leave candles unattended and put them out when you leave the house. Try to keep them out of reach of children to avoid accidents such as a candle falling and setting fire to a curtain.
Lastly, if you have pets at home be sure to take them to a quiet area while the trick-or-treating activity takes place in your neighborhood. Dogs are easily startled by sounds made by passersby. Keep them away from the main entrance to minimize their anxiety and excessive barking.
Halloween is an excellent celebration to spend with family and friends. Always use common sense to ensure trick-or-treating in your area and have a terrorific time!
Infinity Insurance can help you keep your assets safe during Halloween as well as other favorite holidays. Call one of our friendly agents at 1-800-INFINITY to receive a quote for homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
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