Halloween Safety While Trick or Treating
#AskIsaacZisckind
The streets of communities throughout Ontario will soon be filled with ghosts and goblins of all shapes and sizes in search of assorted sweet treats and perhaps a bit of mischief on Halloween. Children are more interested in the contents of their bags of goodies than in watching out for cars, so here are a few tips for parents and motorists to help keepthe little ones safe.
Dress them for safety
Seeing children dressed as a favorite action hero or a fairy tale princess is fun, but parents should exercise care and good judgment when buying or making costumes. Things to keep in mind when dressing your child to head out on Halloween include:
- Materials used in costumes, wigs and other items should be flame resistant.
- Avoid costumes that drag on the ground and could cause a child to trip and fall.
- Choose costumes that have bright, easily-seen colours or reflective material.
- Masks should not restrict breathing or interfere with the ability to breath.Better yet, avoid masks altogether and use face paint instead.
- Accessories, such as knives or swords, should be made of flexible and soft material
- Children should be dressed inproperly fitting footwear with nonslip soles.
Flame-resistant materials do not easily ignite, but they are not fire proof. If you or your child is wearing a costume, keep it away from flames or other heat sources that could cause it to ignite.
Safety while walking about
Whether during the daytime or at night, trick-or-treaters and drivers need to stay alert and watch out for each other. Other safety tips for anyone out on Halloween include:
- Remind children to stay out of streets and roadways and use sidewalks whenever possible.
- Teach children to cross the street at crosswalks or intersections and to look both ways before crossing.
- Children going out late in the afternoon or in the evening should have a flashlight to help them see obstacles in their path and to make them visible to motorists.
- Plan a safe route for your children to travel that minimizes the number of times they must cross the street.
- Young trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult, and older children venturing out on their own should go in groups.
- Caution children against entering the homes of strangers.
- Drivers should stay alert and watch for children darting across the street. Cellphones and other distractions should be put away or ignored while driving.
- Remind children to avoid stopping at houses without a light illuminating the front door.
A bag filled with Halloween treats can be difficult to resist, but children should be cautioned about sampling their bounty until a parent has had a chance to sort through it. Homemade cookies and treats are nice, but unless you know and trust the person who made them, you should play it safe and only let your children eat prepackaged candy and treats that have not been opened.
When preparing your own home for your children and their friends this Halloween, avoid using candles and open flames in jack-o’-lanterns or as decorations. Besides the danger of them tipping over and starting a fire, open flames can ignite costumes and other clothing worn by inquisitive youngsters.
What to do when accidents happen
If you or your child is injured this Halloween, trusted legal advice is available from thepersonal injury lawyers at Diamond & Diamond. Their proven record of success obtaining compensation for people who have been injured in all types of accidents makes them an excellent resource when you need a personal injury lawyer. Don’t delay, contact our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now about your claim. Consultations are free, and we have offices throughout Ontario.