Every year at Halloween, children envision ghosts, goblins, and the possibility of amassing a treasure trove of candy. On the other hand, concerned parents worry about their children’s safety during this yearly candy-gathering ritual.
“Halloween is a cherished tradition, but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful,” says Andrew McCabe of McCabe Group Insurance. “There’s no real ‘trick’ to making Halloween a treat for the entire family. Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.”
The following tips from McCabe Group Insurance offer some excellent guidelines for ensuring that children have a fun and SAFE Halloween:
• Make sure an adult or an older, responsible individual will supervise the outing for children under age 12. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
• If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. Use make-up instead.
• Give children an early meal before going out. Tell youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
• When in doubt, throw it out.
For more information on this and other safety topics, contact McCabe Group Insurance at 414-326-9337.