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32 Safety Tips to have a Terrific Halloween

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway California Realty DRE #01492138

32 Safety Tips to have a Terrific Halloween

32 Safety Tips to have a Terrific Halloween

Halloween is full of fun and can be a little scary. Be sure to supervise small children and warn your teens to be careful.

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and goblins. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1921.

Today, many of the young and young-at-heart take a more light-spirited approach. Glowing skeletons and lighted Jack O' Lanterns decorate homes, while children dressed in all kinds of costumes begin flocking out onto neighborhood streets in search of treats. Make this year's holiday extra safe by following these safety tips on costumes, treats, decorations and more!

I have made of a list of 32 Safety Tips for kids & adults to have a fun but safe Halloween.

  • ·      When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. Wear comfortable and safe shoes like tennis shoes.
  • ·      Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists.
  • ·      For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
  • ·      Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
  • ·      Costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.
  • ·      Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels are not a good idea.
  • ·      Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing vision.
  • ·      Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible materials.
  • ·      Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eye-holes large enough to allow full vision.
  • ·      Children should not snack while they're out trick-or-treating. They should wait until they get home and parents have had a chance to inspect the handouts. To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go-don't send them out on an empty stomach.
  • ·      Tell children not to accept-and, especially, not to eat-anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
  • ·      When children bring their treats home, discard any homemade candy or baked goods. Parents of young children should also remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
  • ·      Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child.
  • ·      Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
  • ·      Children should not enter homes unless they are accompanied by an adult.
  • ·      Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  • ·      Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
  • ·      If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria. Juice or cider that has not been treated will say so on the label.
  • ·      Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
  • ·      Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters. Indoors, keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could catch fire. Do not leave burning candles unattended.
  • ·      Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
  • ·      Don't overload extension cords as visitors can trip and fall.
  • ·      Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
  • ·      Votive or LED candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
  • ·      All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street.
  • ·      Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments or furniture present dangers.
  • ·      Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  • ·      Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side as well-clean up and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are caught vandalizing, insist they clean up the mess they've made.
  • ·      Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.  
  • TEEN RULES
  • Teens and parents should discuss a time to be home. 
  • If teens are driving cars, make sure they are careful of kids crossing the streets.
  • Discuss with your older children the importance of respecting other people’s property. Vandalism; throwing eggs or busting pumpkins into someone’s home or automobile can cause them to be arrested and/or cited and having to appear in court. Plus, parents may have to reimburse the courts and the owners of the property to take care of repainting of a house or automobile. This can be an expensive fine imposed by the courts. (I know parents who had to pay $$$).   

*I posted these safety tips several years ago and had many emails thanking me so I thought I would re-post my original tips exculding the pet tips. Look for my 'Pet Tips at Halloween'.

Thanks for Reading my Real Estate Blog......

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Comments (10)

Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Kristin ....These are really great tips we all should pass on to our clients ....Thanks!

Have a great night!

Oct 27, 2014 11:07 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I remember the year we didn't give much thought to visibility in my Rubik's cube costume and kept falling down stairs.  It was the only Halloween I begged my Mom to take me home.

Oct 27, 2014 11:14 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Chris Ann,

I have seen so many little girls wearing those heeled sandals with their girly costumes and this is so dangerous with steps, dirt walkways, driveways and other rough streets. Your costume must have mad an impression for you to remember. I remember Rubic Cubes and they drove me crazy.

Oct 27, 2014 11:34 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Rob,

Yes it is a list many can post on other internet sites. I remember my friend ask me where I got the list and I said "I made it up myself" but I figured this was a compliment in itself.

Oct 27, 2014 11:36 AM
Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

Hi Kristin, a lot of good tips. Being safe for the big kids or the little one is the first priority. Be safe and have fun  this Halloween.

Oct 27, 2014 11:45 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

Great tips!  Given all that can happen this time of year, staying safe is important.

 

FEATURED IN BANANATUDE

 

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Oct 27, 2014 01:28 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Kristin, A great list and very comprehensive.  When I was kid, most of these things didn't even exist in that days reality. Most costumes were home made or created from just stuff we found. We got candy that was sold nearby, no mimi candy bars, they were fullsize and lots of them. It was just different but  I can't help believe that it was just more fun.

Oct 27, 2014 04:16 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Ted,

Yes, our first priority is the safety of the kids. Parents can have fun at these festivals and get some professionals pictures too.

Oct 30, 2014 01:10 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Bryan,

I want to thank you for featuring my post as it is important for as many parents to read as possible. Happy Halloween.

Oct 30, 2014 01:11 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi William,

I remember making my costumes too and one year I was a 'Hobo' which is probably not polically correct anymore but they used to be portrayed jumping on and off trains in trampy clothes. 

Oct 30, 2014 01:12 PM