Be sure to have a scary but safe Halloween
Autumn is one of the best seasons. It has everything, warm days, cool evenings, football games, gorgeous foliage, sunshine, rain and let’s not forget; two great festive days, Thanksgiving and Halloween.
Halloween is a fun and favorite time for most kids and adults alike, but unfortunately it can be ruined by a scary trip to the hospital. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top three reasons people end up at the emergency room on Halloween are: pedestrian collisions with vehicles, eye injuries from sharp objects and burns from flammable costumes.
Local OSU Extension Family Consumer Agent Kate Shumaker reminds all of us to play it safe this Halloween by following some basic safety tips.
“Halloween is one time a year” she said, “so it may be difficult to remember all the safety hazards that might occur during that time. The number one thing to be aware of is the fact that kids are out and about in the streets and roads. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should walk, not run from house to house using sidewalks if available, rather than walking in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers too. It is just very important for children to be supervised and watched when trick-or-treating. It’s also important for drivers to be aware of the children and to slow down in case something unexpected happens.”
Shumaker said it’s also a good idea to not eat anything until it has been carefully examined by an adult. Although it’s rare in our area, things are sometimes tampered with and it’s better to not take chances. Making sure your child is wearing a flame resistant costume is important as well.
“Another factor that can present a safety hazard is the costumes,” Shumaker said. “When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. I know that swords, knives, wands and other objects are sometimes part of a costume, make sure nothing your child is carrying is sharp or could cause injury to someone else. Getting smacked or poked in the eye is no fun and having a safe prop with your costume can avoid this type of situation.”
For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim your child’s costume with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Treat bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores and can be a great tool if you are planning to be out and about after dark. Carrying a flashlight is another good idea that will help automobile drivers see and notice your child.
“Staying safe while walking about on trick-or-treat night is only part of the puzzle,” Shumaker added. “Children should also only go to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome. Children should never enter a home or apartment unless they are accompanied by an adult and if you are expecting trick-or-treaters, you should remove anything that could be an obstacle from your lawn, steps and porch. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.”
Halloween can be a great time of year. Many people host bon fires, parties, hayrides and other fall-oriented events at their homes. Make sure you consider safety first when planning any get together, especially if small children will be present. It only takes a minute for a fun situation to turn into an emergency, but by thinking and planning ahead, you can have the best Halloween ever and avoid a nightmare on your street.
Halloween is a fun and favorite time for most kids and adults alike, but unfortunately it can be ruined by a scary trip to the hospital. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top three reasons people end up at the emergency room on Halloween are: pedestrian collisions with vehicles, eye injuries from sharp objects and burns from flammable costumes.
Local OSU Extension Family Consumer Agent Kate Shumaker reminds all of us to play it safe this Halloween by following some basic safety tips.
“Halloween is one time a year” she said, “so it may be difficult to remember all the safety hazards that might occur during that time. The number one thing to be aware of is the fact that kids are out and about in the streets and roads. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should walk, not run from house to house using sidewalks if available, rather than walking in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers too. It is just very important for children to be supervised and watched when trick-or-treating. It’s also important for drivers to be aware of the children and to slow down in case something unexpected happens.”
Shumaker said it’s also a good idea to not eat anything until it has been carefully examined by an adult. Although it’s rare in our area, things are sometimes tampered with and it’s better to not take chances. Making sure your child is wearing a flame resistant costume is important as well.
“Another factor that can present a safety hazard is the costumes,” Shumaker said. “When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. I know that swords, knives, wands and other objects are sometimes part of a costume, make sure nothing your child is carrying is sharp or could cause injury to someone else. Getting smacked or poked in the eye is no fun and having a safe prop with your costume can avoid this type of situation.”
For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim your child’s costume with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Treat bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores and can be a great tool if you are planning to be out and about after dark. Carrying a flashlight is another good idea that will help automobile drivers see and notice your child.
“Staying safe while walking about on trick-or-treat night is only part of the puzzle,” Shumaker added. “Children should also only go to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome. Children should never enter a home or apartment unless they are accompanied by an adult and if you are expecting trick-or-treaters, you should remove anything that could be an obstacle from your lawn, steps and porch. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.”
Halloween can be a great time of year. Many people host bon fires, parties, hayrides and other fall-oriented events at their homes. Make sure you consider safety first when planning any get together, especially if small children will be present. It only takes a minute for a fun situation to turn into an emergency, but by thinking and planning ahead, you can have the best Halloween ever and avoid a nightmare on your street.
Published: October 17, 2011
