DARKE COUNTY – Halloween comes but once a year, bringing joy with a healthy dose of fear. Before you go trick-or-treating this eve of All Hallow, be sure it’s these rules you do follow.
OK, so we’re not poets. But what we are good at is being safe, and Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and traffic accidents. That’s why the Red Cross is offering the following tips to help make this Halloween safe for you and your family.
(Or, if you’re really into bad poetry and want something more graphically fun, we’ve also attached a jpg of 13 lucky tips that work well on social media and websites.)
COSTUME SAFETY – Whether the little one wants to be a ghost, a princess or a superhero, parents can help keep them safe by following some costume advice:
– Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
– Be sure to carry a flashlight.
– Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.
– Use flame-resistant costumes.
– Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.
SAFE TRICK-OR-TREATING – To maximize safety, plan the route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they make their way around the neighborhood.
Other safety tips to follow include:
– Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight to see where they are going and be seen by drivers.
– Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
– Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
– Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
– Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
– It’s not only vampires and monsters people have to look out for. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
WELCOMING GHOSTS AND GOBLINS – If someone is welcoming Trick-or-Treaters at their home, they should make sure the outdoor light is on. Other safety steps include: – Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps. – Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over. – Restrain any household pets. – Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.
FIRST AID APP – Download the free Red Cross First Aid App. Users receive instant access to expert advice for everyday emergencies whenever and wherever they need it. Use the Emergency App for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
