(The following information was provided by the American
Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania.)
Halloween is just around the corner. Soon masses of little
superheroes, goblins, ghosts and cartoon and television characters will be out
in their neighborhoods for trick or treat fun. The American Red Cross has tips
parents can follow to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities.
"Halloween is fast becoming one of the most popular holidays
in this country, and people should expect more visitors in search of treats,”
said Jennifer Graham, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern
Pennsylvania. "Whether you’re handing out goodies or going door-to-door, a few
simple considerations can help ensure your family and those around you are safe
and sound.”
Here are the top tips for parents to keep in mind while
getting their kids ready for Halloween this year:
- Make sure
trick-or-treaters can see and be seen. Give kids a flashlight to light their way and consider adding
reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
- Plan the trick-or-treat route in advance and
make sure adults know where their children are going. A parent or responsible adult should
accompany young children door-to-door.
- Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the
street. Avoid
running. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the
corner. Don’t cross between parked cars.
- Be considerate of other people. Only visit homes that have a porch
light on, and never go inside.
- Be cautious around animals. It’s not only vampires and
monsters people have to look out for. Be alert around unknown animals,
especially dogs.
- Keep your hands clean. Bring hand sanitizer with you while trick-or-treating and use it after
touching objects or other people. Wash your hands when you get home.
- Make sure a grown-up
checks the goodies before eating. Make sure to remove loose candy,
open packages and choking hazards. Discard any items with brand names that
you are not familiar with.
For those planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to their
doors, follow these safety steps:
- Provide proper lighting
and sweep your sidewalks and steps. Having good lighting and a
clear path helps visitors see where they are walking and avoid getting
hurt.
- Do not hand out candy
if anyone in the household is ill or isolating. This helps keep
everyone as healthy as possible.
- Wash your hands before handing out candy and between trick-or-treaters.
Download the freeRed Cross First Aid
app for instant access to
expert advice in case your ghost, goblin or superhero has a mishap. Use the Emergency app for weather alerts and to let others know you are
safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps
in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
