Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is fun for kids of all ages, but it really is essential that you and your kids stay safe. Here are some safety suggestions for people wishing to go trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

Costume Safety
Children should:

• Put on costumes that are bright, reflective and flame-retardant and wear short clothes that prevent tripping.
• Wear sneakers or comfy shoes.
• Use face paint (non-toxic, hypoallergenic) and avoid masks if possible- specifically if the eye holes obstruct the child's vision.
• If the costume must use a face mask, make sure there is plenty of visibility through the eye holes.
• Never put on floppy hats or wigs that slide down over the eyes. Also, kids should not wear lengthy, baggy, loose costumes or over-sized footwear.
• Steer clear of toy weapons - if preferred, use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid.
• Stay away from pets. The pet may not recognize the youngster and become to be frightened or aggressive.

Pedestrian Safety

• Young children are safer closer to home in familiar locations and surroundings. Parents should establish a route for kids.
• Kids should use flashlights and stay on sidewalks.
• Children should cross the street at corners / crosswalks and not walk between parked vehicles.
• Motorists need to keep an eye out for kids and drive slowly in neighborhoods.

General Safety

• Many police districts, neighborhood groups, churches and other individuals host Halloween parties. Parents should consider these as a secure option to door-to-door "trick-or-treating" for their kids.
• Youngsters should by no means go into houses - stay on the porch or stoop when asking for treats.
• Children avoid homes that don't have their outside lights turned on.
• Young children should never ever speak to strangers or get into strangers' cars.
• Children should  travel in small groups and be accompanied by parents or an authorized adult chaperon.
• Kids need to know their home telephone number and their parents' cellphone numbers. They need to know how to make calls.
• Children should have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.
• Children need to bring home treats prior to eating them so parents can inspect them. When children get home, parents should inspect all candy and other treats before they are eaten. Discard all unwrapped or loosely wrapped candy or fruit.
• If you have any suspicions about any of the candy, contact the police department.
• Carve pumpkins on a steady, flat surface with good lighting. Smaller young children should not carve pumpkins. Instead, they can help by drawing faces with markers, though a parent does the cutting. Older children carving pumpkins should always be supervised.
• Adults should only give and accept wrapped or packaged candy.
• Adults should porch lights on and their driveways illuminated.
• Property owners should make certain that their walkways are cleared of debris on which young children could trip and fall.
• Parents need to cut into fruit, such as apples, to make sure they do not include foreign objects.
• If in doubt, throw it out.

Brought to you by ERA Team Real Estate. Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!