Keeping safety in mind is one way to ensure an enjoyable Halloween

Making Halloween a real treat for the entire family requires following some safety measures, said Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service parenting assistant specialist.

“Each year there are witches, ghosts, super heroes and other characters that trek through neighborhoods around the country,” Richardson said. “Making sure the costume itself is safe is the first step to a memorable and safe Halloween.”

If the costume is dark in color, adorn it with reflective tape to make the child more visible. Be sure to use fire-retardant materials. It also is important to make sure the costume fits properly. Clothing that has a cape, a tail or is too long can be a tripping hazard.

Richardson said it is a good idea for children to use special Halloween makeup instead of wearing a mask.

“Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, which can lead to falls and other dangers,” she said. “If you use facial makeup, check the label for wording such as ‘non-toxic,’ ‘laboratory tested’ or ‘meets federal standards for cosmetics.’”

Before letting children go out into the neighborhood, parents need to establish a set of rules and go over the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.

“Children 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult or an older responsible youth,” Richardson said. “Stop only at houses where you know the people, and tell children not to eat any of the candy until they get home and parents have had a chance to inspect it.”

Children should remain on the sidewalks and not walk in the street. Children also must look both ways before crossing the street to check for traffic, and only cross at corners. Children darting out between parked cars can easily get hurt in traffic. In addition, it is always a good idea to carry a flashlight in case street lights are not on.

“Not only should children be more cautious, but adults who are driving trick-or-treaters to other neighborhoods need to be more aware as well,” she said. “In the excitement of the moment a child may run across the street without checking traffic. Motorists are encouraged to be extra careful and drive slowly through neighborhoods where there are a lot of trick-or-treaters.”

Richardson also pointed out that the same safety precautions should be followed for large Halloween events. She said many towns may host trick-or-treating at the local fairgrounds, nursing home or community center. Also, some college and university dorms may allow ghosts and goblins to come in and trick-or-treat.

“Make sure your children pay attention to the traffic in parking lots at events such as these. There can be a lot of excitement at these large venues and children and parents must pay attention in order to ensure safety,” she said.

Following these safety tips will help guarantee that all ghosts, goblins and parents have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
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