Halloween Safety

State Representative Phil Young (D)
120th Connecticut House District

Dear Neighbor,

This Monday children of all ages will dress up in fun and scary costumes to celebrate one of the biggest holidays of the season.

And, while everyone enjoys trick or treating or any other outdoor evening activities, please follow safety tips as children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Wear reflective clothes and carry a flashlight to see and alert others of your presence
2. Young children should never go trick or treating alone
3. Walk on side of the street and avoid running from house to house
4. Only visit well-lit homes
5. Inspect all candy and treats before eating or giving to others
6. Discourage use of sharp accessories that can be harmful
7. And always look both ways before crossing the street

Simple Steps for an Extra Safe Halloween

Kids love the magic of Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and happy holiday for everyone.

Costume Safety

To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards.

• All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
• If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
• Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops
• Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation

When They’re on the Prowl

Here’s a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.

Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night:

• A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
• Agree on a specific time children should return home
• Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies

Safety Tips for Motorists

NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours:

• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing
• Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween

Sincerely,

Phil Young