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Some tips for having a safe Halloween
Published October 27, 2009
Hello and happy reading! Fall is here, trees are losing their leaves, pumpkins and fall decorations are being displayed and there even is a coolness in the air that reminds us it might actually cool down in the months to come.
Fall begins our transition into many different festivities — Halloween is the first of those events, and is just a few days away. Children will dress up in costumes and attend fall festivals, Halloween carnivals or neighborhood trick-or-treating. Whatever the case might be, keep this festive fall event safe and fun.
Decorating for Halloween is always fun and can be done safely to prevent fires and keep those trick-or-treaters safe.
One way is by using small, battery powered lights instead of candles to light jack-o-lanterns or luminaria. If you do decide to use candles, set them away from walkways so flowing costumes don’t brush up against the flames. Remember to keep items with flames out of the reach of children and pets.
Another safe decorating idea is to use colored light bulbs to create a spooky atmosphere, instead of colored plastic wrap or material that could melt or catch fire.
Never send your child out alone to trick-or-treat. It is not fun or safe. If you do not plan to go with your child, have them go with a group of friends or an adult you trust. Make sure you know the route your child will be taking, and always talk about safety before you let them go trick-or-treating. Remind your child to never go into a house or apartment unless you are with them. It is best to trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods. Avoid dark houses — only visit those with a front porch light turned on. Stay on sidewalks to avoid damage to plants or tripping over obstacles in the lawn.
Carry a flashlight so you can see where you are walking and so others can see you and your child. Cross busy streets at the crosswalk or intersection.
Remind your children to walk from house to house — never run. They could trip on their costumes and hurt themselves. It is not a good idea to let your children ride their bicycles while wearing costumes — they could get tangled in the spokes, gears or pedals.
Always inspect the packaging of candy your child receives to make sure all the pieces are completely sealed. Check the wrappers carefully for discoloration, pinholes and small tears. Any opened packages and homemade food or candy should be thrown away.
Eating too many sweets can give your child a stomachache. Let them eat a few pieces of candy at a time for dessert, or freeze the candy to eat later.
If you are answering the door and giving out treats, non-candy substitutes such as prepackaged fruit snacks or sealed boxes of raisins are a good choice. Remember treats do not have to be edible — pencils, stickers or small toys add variety to a trick-or-treater’s haul of goodies.
If you have reservations about allowing your child to go trick-or-tricking, there are many churches and local organizations that provide alternatives. Halloween carnivals, fall festivals and many other activities are available to provide a fun and safe atmosphere for you and your child.
Have a spooktacular, fun and safe Halloween.
Sharon Trower is a Brazoria County Extension Agent. Her column appears every other Tuesday on the Community page. Contact her at sftrower(at)ag.tamu.edu.
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