Special offer

Halloween Safety Tips

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Halloween Safety Tips

 

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services shared these tips for having a safe Halloween:

Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. Accompany children and remind them to stop at all street corners before crossing, cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.

Drivers: Slow down, and “be prepared to give trick-or-treaters a brake.” Do not drive impaired.

Before heading out to trick-or-treat, apply reflective wrist bands, tape, and stickers to costumes, bags and sacks and use a flashlight with fresh batteries to see and be seen.

Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision. If a mask is worn, cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision. Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping. Dress children in shoes that fit. Allow children to carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.

Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed. Be careful with fruit. Inspect the surface closely for punctures or holes and cut it open before allowing a child to eat it.

Instruct children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult. Restrict trick-or-treating visits to homes with porch or outside lights illuminated.

Remove outdoor safety hazards such as toys, bicycles and lawn ornaments. Make sure the driveway and stairs are cleared of leaves, which can be a slipping and falling hazard. Make sure that the driveway and walks are well lit for incoming trick-or-treaters. Replace burned-out or broken light bulbs.

 

Skyline Drive Wildflowers

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Image may contain: plant, flower, nature and outdoor

 

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (9)

Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Roy Kelley - I do my best to stay off the roads on Halloween.  One good thing about AZ is that the speed limit for school zone is mandatory 15 MPH. 

Oct 26, 2016 03:15 AM
Erik McKenzie
GPBuyshomes - Dallas, TX
We help property owners

Thanks for the great share Roy Kelley 

Oct 26, 2016 03:25 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Roy... I think back to my trick or treating days in the 1950's and we had no safety concerns/issues even in NYC. Life is just so much more complicated these days for kids and parents.

Oct 26, 2016 03:25 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for your comments. Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Oct 26, 2016 03:48 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Roy

Halloween is a fun time but also a time when safety is of particular concern. These are some great tips for those who are out and about. We see more and more public parties and events to encourage safety. And with it getting ssdark so much earlier is definitely  time to be careful if you are out driving, or out walking.

Jeff

Oct 26, 2016 04:42 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Very good tips Roy! It's important for parents to take these extra steps to keep their children safe!

Oct 26, 2016 07:09 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Roy Kelley  These are excellent list of Halloween safety tips.

Oct 26, 2016 08:53 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, again, for your comments. Your feedback is always appreciated.

Oct 26, 2016 08:43 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Monday morning to all. Have a great day and a happy and safe Halloween

Oct 30, 2016 08:32 PM