Tips for a safe Halloween
Halloween is a fun experience for the whole family, from the costumes to divvying up the candy stash at the end of the night. Soon, pint-sized ghosts and goblins will be out and about, and Sentara Pediatric Physicians pediatrician Dr. Penny Lane shares a few safety tips on how to keep the night safe and trick-free:
For trick or treaters:
- Children under 12 should be supervised by an adult or responsible teen chaperone.
- Trick or treat in groups of three or more.
- Plan a route with your child.
- Stay in a familiar neighborhood and only approach well-lit houses.
- Review pedestrian rules: Stay on sidewalks, use crosswalks and wait for walk signals when present.
For costumes:
- Choose fire-retardant costumes or materials.
- Make sure that costumes fit properly and do not drag on the ground.
- Choose light-colored costumes when possible.
- Accessorize with light-colored goodie bags.
- Add reflexive tape to costume and goodie bags.
- Non-toxic hypoallergenic face paints are preferable to masks.
- Masks may restrict vision. If using a mask, enlarge the eye cutouts and encourage children to remove mask when crossing streets.
- Set a time limit and curfew.
- Make sure that emergency contact info is located on the costume.
For treats:
- Check the goodie bag.
- Toss items that are not sealed or have tears or unusually loose packaging.
- Make sure that treats are appropriate for the child's age. Remove choking hazards like gum, small toys or hard candy from the bags of younger children.