There are normally domestic accidents like; a cut finger while carving a pumpkin, a minor burn from a pumpkin candle or a fall on a sidewalk in costume.
One of the biggest dangers on Halloween is traffic accidents involving children trick or treating; on the Halloween holiday. Children killed by traffic have been reported to rise to 4 times the normal amount of fatalities according to CBS News. This is a prime example of children not paying attention when levels of euphoria are heightened and why Halloween safety is important.
We can prepare for this by making sure our children know how to cross roads safely including in particular areas of difficulty like corners and between parked cars. Halloween costumes are generally dark in color so try adding some reflective accessories like glow in the dark beads and bracelets, sparkly stars and moons all things that will catch a drivers eye. Be sure you know the area that your child is going to is well lit and that they have a flashlight if they are out after dark. Make sure your children stick to an agreed route that you both know so you can find them if necessary, you can always make sure they have a cell phone in case of an emergency.
Every year there is normally a rumor of poisoned sweets being handed out, although there has never been a case of child poisoning on Halloween, it is always a good idea to check their candy before they eat it. Look out for sweets with no wrappers or broken wrappers simply discard them from their swag. Halloween should be fun with plenty of laughs for you and your children if you follow these simple Halloween safety rules.
Source:
CBS News --
Study conducted by the University Of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5869178/halloween_safety_keeping_your_children_pg2.html?cat=74
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Parents, Double Check the Safety List You Should Be Following to Keep Your Kids Happy and Safe on Halloween
With all of the child kidnapping incidents and Halloween accidents that occur in our day and age, Halloween safety shouldn't be an after thought. Dr. Brian Keaton of the
American College of Emergency Physicians commented that "Every year you see kids injured while trick-or-treating, and it's always frustrating because the injuries are easily prevented. Typically the most common incidents are eye injuries from sharp objects, burns from flammable costumes and children hit by cars as they walk and run around the neighborhood. Parents and caregivers have to make certain that a few important safety measures are followed as their children collect their treats."
Parents, double check the Halloween Safety List to ensure your kids have the safest Halloween possible. No one wants a terrifying holiday to turn into a terrifying reality. Most of this information is basic common sense. You as parents know the rules already. Like surgeons who have performed hundreds of successful surgeries who still go through their safety checklists each time before they operate, it never hurts to run down the list of Halloween Safety for your kids.
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1. Adults: Young children in groups should always be with one or more adults. Even older kids should never trick- or-treat alone. Always go out on Halloween with a group and keep track of each other.
2. Beware of Predators: Teach your children they must NEVER enter a house unless you are with them. Teach them not to approach a vehicle occupied or not, unless they are with you. There are more predators in people's neighborhoods than parents realize. You can always check Family Watchdog for offenders in your area. Explain to your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they need to scream as loudly as they can and fight to get away. Missing Kids Safety Tips says they should scream,"This is not my father/mother/guardian!"
3. Costumes: Costumes should be non-flammable and not too long or bulky so kids don't have a hard time going up and down porch steps. Costumes that are lighter in color are easier to spot by cars. If your child insists on wearing a mask, cut the eyeholes so even their peripheral vision isn't restricted in any way. They need to see where they are going! Also make sure the mouth hole is large enough so they can breathe well. Masks are better to avoid completely if possible. If children have any props along with the costume, make sure there are no sharp edges. Kids can accidentally harm other kids with all the walking and turning in close quarters. Make sure your kids are warm enough in what they are wearing. Layer under the costume. Put reflective tape on kids' costumes and candy sacks so that children can be seen more easily by traffic. You can purchase reflective tape at any hardware store or here at Find Tape.
4. Slow Down: Tell your children to slow down. There is no need to run. Teach them to take their time and be respectful of people's property by using sidewalks and driveways especially when there are lots of decorations laid out. Wait for each other before going to the next house. This is where kids get lost or left behind. It only takes one moment.
5. Street Safety: Trick-or-Treat on one side of the road at a time so you don't go back and forth across traffic frequently. The Police recommend that children cross only at corners, not at parked cars. They also say children should plan their trick-or-treat route and make sure their parents know exactly where they will be. Stay in familiar neighborhoods.
6. House Safety: If you are expecting trick-or-treaters, make your own house safe. Keep jack-o-lanterns that are lit off of porch areas where kids with long costumes will be stepping. Make sure kids have a clear path. Also keep a close eye on inside jack-o-lanterns so that curtains and other indoor materials don't catch on fire.
7. Extra equipment: Flashlights are the obvious one. Have your children carry flashlights and glow sticks so they can see and be seen. Glow sticks can be purchased at Walmart or any Halloween costume store. Also, carry a cell phone. Have your kids carry theirs, if they have one, in their candy sack in case you get separated. Your cell phone is a great watch. Keep track of time.
8. Signals: Teach your children to only go to homes that are well lit both outside and inside. If a house seems strange, skip it. There are plenty of others.
9. Go Early: You'll have more time and feel less rushed.
10. Candy: A parent should inspect all candy. Older kids should know not to eat anything that looks even slightly opened or suspicious. Anything NOT in its original wrapper should be avoided. That means don't take a chance eating any goody bags or fruits. |
Following these 10 Halloween Safety Rules will help keep your kids safe and protected. When it comes to children's safety, you can never be too careful.
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Source List:
"Halloween Safety Tips from CPSC "
Consumer Product Safety Commission
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http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2125075/10_halloween_safety_tips.html?cat=25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How to Keep Your Dog Safe & Happy on Halloween
On Halloween fun and crazy costumes are everywhere. Dogs dress up as people and people dress up as dogs. Neighborhoods light up for a magical hour in which kids stroll around and have only to
knock on a door to get candy. It's a fun night for parents, one of the best days of the year for kids, and one of the most stressful for some dogs. Unless your dog has the energy of a puppy, the calmness of a Zen master, and the endurance of the Energizer bunny, the odds are that the Halloween craziness will stress him out.
In addition to the stress brought on by noise and commotion, there are other concerns to keep an eye on. With this in mind, here are a series of tips to keep your dog safe.
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1. Avoid chocolate and other candy. Make sure to keep any candy that you are going to hand out safely hidden from your dog. Notify kids in the house to put their candy bags away. Chocolate is a big no-no for dogs as it contains theobromine, which their bodies cannot properly digest. The darker the chocolate, the worse it can be. Small amounts are typically not lethal, so if he does snag a bite don't freak out. But also don't let it happen.
Candy wrappers, tinfoil, and other dangers can be found in candy bags, so keep your dog safe by putting these away.
2. Put your dog in a safe place, either a separate room or his crate, when the trick-or-treaters are coming by. You should not let him be at the door to greet the kids. Costumes, commotion, and loud noises will stress him out and can cause problems ranging from stress to aggression.
3. Don't leave your dog around kids without supervision. The erratic movements and loud, startling noises can really upset him. Add in a scary costume and you have a formula for disaster.
4. Be careful about placement of electrical cords for decorations. If your puppy or dog chews on these, trouble will follow. Arrange them for safety and use a bitter apple spray on the cord to keep pets at bay.
5. Don't leave candles unattended. Carved pumpkins look great with a candle burning inside them, but they can be tipped over. They can also be investigated by curious pets which can lead to burns or worse.
6. Make sure that your dog's costume is the right fit. Don't put him in a costume that is too small or tight. Also check for loose ends that could be chewed on and swallowed or cause other problems. If your dog hates
having the costume on be a friend to him and take the costume off.
7. Watch out when the door is open. If your dog is not secured in another room or in his crate then he might bolt out the door. With all the activity outside it may be even harder to get him back in.
8. Walk your dog before the festivities begin -- all those costumes can be scary.
9. If the noise is bothering him, try adding background sounds (radio, TV) to distract him from the neighborhood hubbub.
10. Be careful when out walking your dog after Halloween -- loose candy can be found and he may grab a big piece if he sees it before you do.
11. Think twice about taking him out with your family to trick or treat. There's a lot of costumes and commotion which can put any dog on edge. He might be happier at home.
12. Tell kids the dangers of the treats and to not feed the dog any.
13. Be firm. Don't let anybody who wants to greet your dog just to be polite. Be willing to say no thanks if your dog is feeling anxious or if the other person (perhaps an excited, sugar filled child) is approaching inappropriately.
14. If you take your dog with you, do not take him up to a stranger's door the resident dog may not take kindly to that and it could end up being a bummer. Someone should wait at the end of the driveway with the dog.
15. Do not leave your dog outside. There are plenty of rumors that dogs are taunted and teased, that gates are opened, and that candy is tossed in yards. It's unlikely that lots of kids are running around causing harm to dogs on Halloween night, but the commotion is enough to unnerve your dog and it is conceivable that a youngster might toss a treat toward your dog with the best of intentions but bad results. |
It may seem like a lot, but the truth is that Halloween is a fun time for parents and kids and can easily be fun for dogs too. Many dogs enjoy being the center of attention and will tolerate wearing a costume (which we get a huge kick out of!) to do so. Keep an eye out for the dangers of candy, keep your dog secure in your house, and be ready to ward off over excited kids and all will be well. Happy Halloween.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1003786/how_to_keep_your_dog_safe_happy_on_pg2.html?cat=53 |
