Last year we talked about how to keep your home safe from some of the nasty tricks that come with all the treats of Halloween. But, it’s also easy to overlook how dangerous this mischievous holiday can be for kids.
Did you know?
- Children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night than at any other time of the year, according to the organization Safe Kids USA.
What Can You Do?
So, how do you keep kids safe when even crossing the road could be dangerous? Pay attention. All the time. Most car accidents on Halloween don’t even occur in the crosswalk, and many aren’t the driver’s fault. Kids may be covered in dark materials, their faces covered by masks, that make them hard to spot if they run out into the road. With the crowds and excitement of the night, most kids are running back and forth across the street, with parents straining to keep up. Don’t lose track of your child in all the excitement.
Also, make sure costumes contain reflectors or bright colors that will be easy to spot under headlights or street lamps. Since kids tend to stay out later- make sure they can be seen.
And while treacherous roads may be an obvious danger on such a busy and chaotic night, there are other, less obvious threats parents may not think of.
Such as:
- Glow Stick Poisoning
- Face paint allergies
- Fires
What Can You Do?
These dangers might not be likely, but they can happen. It doesn’t take a ton of preparation to keep your kids safe, but it does take awareness. Keep an eye on kids when they are playing with glow sticks (especially very young children) as they can break open and the glowing substance inside can be dangerous. Also, test all face paint on a small part of the skin before applying to the face. Recent reports have shown that paints from outside of the country contain metals that can be harmful to skin.
And, don’t forget to keep an eye on your child’s costume as you swoop by all those glowing jack o’lanterns. While many folks now prefer artificial lights, if a flowy costume meets a fiery pumpkin, the results won’t be a treat.
But, the most important piece of advice for this Halloween season?
Have fun!
Our Favorite Home Safety Websites From Around the Web