It’s still a week away, so now is the perfect time to prepare — correctly — for those little goblins who will go door-to-door for Trick or Treat next Monday night.
Each year, kids are injured when they fall or get injured in traffic, and experts warn that some planning about costumes and appropriate caution can make the evening a lot safer.
It may also make it more comfortable, since one of the important safety tips is to make sure that all costumes are age-appropriate and fit correctly.
Experts warn that over-sized costumes and masks can cause children to trip and to not have a good range of vision when they are crossing streets, climbing steps or even just stepping up on a curb.
So it is important for their costumes to be something they can easily walk in and can see out of.
And on that vision point — experts also stress it is important that the children can be seen. It may not add to their spooky image, but reflective tape that can be quickly spotted in a car’s headlights is a great addition to every costume.
It’s also important for there to be adequate adult supervision the experts urge.
Other tips from the national organization, Safekids.org, include:
• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
Drivers’ tips for Halloween night include:
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Costumes and treat tips:
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility.
• Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.
• Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers. The liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them.
• Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.