Keep Kids, Pets Safe on Halloween

By Elaine Wilson
Oct. 28, 2009
Elaine.wilson@dma.mil

Freddy, the 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs’ jack-o’-lantern, dons a reflective belt in preparation for a safe Halloween at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Oct. 5, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Barry Loo

When my kids and I made our annual trip to the Halloween costume store a few weeks ago, I have to admit safety was the furthest thing from our minds.

Without a care, we plowed our way through rows of knight costumes with wooden swords, storm troopers with plastic light sabers and fairies with long, flower-tipped wands.

Until I researched Halloween safety for this post, I never gave their costumes a second thought. I was much more concerned with the thought of their asking for candy from masses of strangers, something that belies every stranger danger lesson I taught them starting at a very young age. But both can pose a danger, I learned, although a few simple precautions can help ensure a safe and happy Halloween for parents and kids.

Here are a few Halloween safety tips I found today in an Air Force article:

– Children should wear light-colored clothing that’s short enough to prevent tripping. Parents also may want to add reflective tape to the costume.

– Ensure children can see out of their masks or use face makeup instead.

– Avoid using hard plastic or wooden props, such as daggers or swords. Instead, substitute foam rubber for flexibility in case the child falls. Note: I didn’t confiscate my son’s light saber or my daughter’s wand, but I’ll be carrying them while they’re on their candy quest.

– Parents should purchase Halloween costumes — including wigs, capes and props — that feature a flame-resistant or flame-retardant label.

– Use sidewalks when available and begin trick-or-treating before sunset. This is much easier now that the time change in which we “fall back” an hour has been delayed in the United States until Nov. 1 at 2 a.m.

– Each child should carry a flashlight or glow stick.

– Don’t take shortcuts through yards to get to the next house. Children could get hurt by unknown obstacles.

– Parents shouldn’t allow their children to eat or sample any candy before it’s checked. Throw away all unwrapped candy, popcorn and caramel apples unless they come from a trusted source.

– Parents should accompany young children or groups of children when trick-or-treating. Walk with friends and stay together.

– Look both ways before crossing the street. Have someone carry a flashlight in front of the group and walk on the shoulder of the road if sidewalks are not available.

– Stay within your own neighborhood or areas with which you are familiar, and only visit homes with lit porch lights.
– Keep children away from candles and flames, especially when in costume. Advise children to stay away from jack-o’-lanterns with candles or open flames. Ensure children know how to stop, drop and roll in case their clothes catch fire.

– Keep jack-o’-lanterns away from landings or doorways where costumes could brush against the candle flame. Consider using glow sticks or battery-powered lights for jack-o’-lanterns.

– Homeowners should remove lawn decorations along walkways and provide a well-lit driveway for visitors.

While Halloween is a blast for kids, it can be the opposite for pets who can become frightened by costumes or hurt during Halloween pranks.

– Keep pets inside and secured. A pet might not recognize your children or the children coming to the door and may become frightened or aggressive.

Here are some Halloween safety tips for pets from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

– Don’t leave your pet outside unattended on Halloween, or on the days preceding or following this holiday. Halloween pranks committed against pets can be vicious, and black cats are particularly at risk.

– Halloween treats are for people, not pets. Candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed and chocolate can be poisonous for some types of pets.

– Keep pumpkins out of reach of curious noses and paws. Pets may knock over a lit pumpkin and cause a fire.

– Despite how much fun it is for people, many pets don’t enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween. If you do dress your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t interfere with your pet’s ability to breathe, see, hear, move or bark.

– Consider keeping your pet in a separate room, away from the door, when trick-or-treaters arrive. Strange people in even stranger clothes can frighten some pets.

– When you do answer the door for visitors, make sure that your pet doesn’t suddenly head for the great outdoors. In case your pet does escape, make sure that it’s wearing proper identification. Pets with identification are much more likely to be returned to their owners.

For more kids’ safety tips, check with your installation safety office, and for more on pet safety, contact your veterinarian.