With many a child’s favourite spooky season of the year on the go this week, it’s an important time to remember some very easy safety measures for when the kids hit the streets seeking a few tricks and treats.
It’s always a good idea for children to wear makeup or face paint on their faces instead of masks. Masks can impair their vision, increasing the chance of an accident while maneuvering the streets of the town.
Make sure costumes are large enough to go over warm clothes, as temperatures can get pretty chilly when out knocking on doors for a few hours. Also important – good, sturdy shoes.
Bright colours are also an important safety feature many forget. The brighter the costume, the more visible the child, especially in the dusky dark and sometimes foggy streets of this province. If a child’s costume is dark or black, use reflective tape to make the child more visible.
Another important thing to remember when purchasing an outfit for your little one – seek costumes, beards, wigs that are labeled “Flame-resistant,” bearing in mind, that does not mean “fire proof.”
When it comes to the treats, there are a number of things to keep in mind.
Parents and caregivers should check any homemade candy or baked goods, especially if gotten at a home you don’t know. Check over the treats before your children eat any, and throw out any that are not wrapped commercially, that have tears in their wrapping and any that have small holes in the wrappers.
Remove chocking hazards like gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys if your children are quite young.
Check fruit carefully for holes and cuts, and ensure it is washed well before eating.
Avoid handing out treats that may contain ingredients like peanut, milk and egg that can cause server allergic reactions in some individuals.
Parents should accompany their children until they are old enough to go by themselves.
Tell your children not to eat any candies or greats until a parent or guardian has inspected it. Give children dinner before they trick or treat, so they are less tempted to eat goodies along the way.
Children should stay in well-lit areas and not go inside any homes they don’t know.
And, of course, children should not run, they should stay on the sidewalk of the side of the road and avoid going back and forth across the roads. If they do cross, they should cross at a corner and look both ways before doing so.
For more information about Hallowe’en safety, please visit the webpages “Safe Halloween”, “Costumes and Dress-up”, and “Halloween Food Safety Tips.”
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