Happy Halloween

October 16, 2008 by Erica Jones Starkey · Leave a Comment

JSCA would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween. Here are some tips we found to help you have a safe and fun night!

Trick-or-Treating Halloween Safety Tips

Be Visible — Whether you’re dressing tiny tots for trick-or-treating, or heading out yourself, make sure to wear light colors that will make you visible to motorists. Accent darker costumes like Wizard and Witch Costumes with reflective tape, or carry a bright, reflective bag to make sure motorists see you coming.
Don’t Trip — Make sure that everyone’s shoes fit well, so they can walk easily. Also, choose costume sizes that are short enough for easy mobility, to prevent tripping hazards, the leading cause of Halloween accidental injuries!
Check In With Everyone — Make sure that you pre-plan phone calls or meeting times, so that your group knows when to check in with you to assuage your worries. Have a designated place for kids to meet up if they get separated from the group and lost.
Keep Time On Your Side — Whether you’re out trick-or-treating, or party-hopping, have everyone in your group wear watches that are easy to read in the dark. Have designated times that you get in touch by cell phone, and make sure that you all round up at the right time.
Use the Buddy System — There’s safety in numbers, even in the dark. Have everyone in your group use the buddy system, so that they’re not alone as they walk the streets.
Stage a Dress Rehearsal — If your costume is uncomfortable or dangerous, it’s no fun to find out Halloween night! Try on your costumes at least a day before Halloween, so you can adjust them if necessary.

Halloween Safety Tips for Kids

Make Clean Exits — Little ones should be able to get out of their costumes in a jam, in case of an emergency. Make sure their costumes are easy to take off themselves, with snaps, zippers, or velcro closures.
Help Kids See Clearly — Child Halloween Masks are a great way to create your kid’s character look. But you’ll want to make sure the masks fit well, and that Child Halloween Hats are always secured. Cut wider eye holes in masks that obscure their vision or use Makeup Accessories instead.
Fight the Fire — Teach kids to “Stop, Drop, and Roll!” in case of accidental contact with flames.
Choose Safe Costumes — Make sure that all the costumes your kids wear are flame retardant and avoid paper costumes entirely. Opt for polyester or mod-acrylics costumes instead, which are safer. Candles and torches are often used for decoration at Halloween, and you’ll want to make sure your kids’ wigs, hats, accessories are all safe.
Phone Home — Equip your kids with a handful of quarters, prepaid phone card, or working cell phones so they can call 911 in case of emergency, and you in case of need.
Play the Chaperone — Always make sure to accompany children under 12 on their trick or treat routes. Dressing up in Adult Halloween Costumes can help you blend in and will make kids feel less supervised while keeping their safety guarded.
Map Kids’ Routes — Map your neighborhood using an online map service, and sit down with kids to draw a trick or treat route. It will be easier to find them in a pinch, and they’ll be less apt to use shortcuts like cutting across front yards and traveling down alleys. Make sure kids know to only approach houses of people they know, or people with their porchlights on.
Fuel Kids Up First — Hoping your kids don’t consume all their candy on their trick or treat route? Have them eat a filling, nutritious meal before heading out. They’ll be less apt to eat unsafe candy before you get the chance to check it.
Conceal Their Identity — Instruct your kids not to give their names to strangers, but do take time to discreetly sew or pin their emergency identification information like name, address, and phone number inside their costumes in case of emergency.
Avoid Sugar Overload — Set up an innovative trade for your kids so that they don’t overdose on candy and to encourage them to wait to have it inspected before eating it. For instance, offer your kids toys or privileges in exchange for a number of pieces of candy, or donate any extra treats to a charity, like a hospital or food bank.
Slow Down Your Kids — Make sure your kids don’t pick up the pace by running and walk instead. If you won’t be joining them, give them adequate time for them to complete their designated route.
Take the Edge Off Carving — Make sure kids use safety knives with smoother edges for pumpkin carving, or allow little ones to draw instead of cut.
Check the Candy — Even though reports of tampered candy are actually quite low, they’re still coming from an unknown source. Make sure to sort and check treats collected by your kids, and toss spoiled, unwrapped or strange items, including those with discoloration or tiny pin holes. Toss out any homemade baked goods, and be sure to remove choking hazards for small kids, like gum, peanuts, or tiny toys.

Halloween Tips for Pet Owners

ID Your Pets — No one wants to spend Halloween night trying to find their lost pet. Make sure that your pets have all their up-to-date tags on, and whenever possible, get your pets fitted with a sub-skin microchip so you can identify them later if lost.
Cover And Secure Cords — With all the glitz of Halloween Decorations this time of year, make sure that any cords are covered or secured under a table or against a wall with masking tape. Pets who chew on exposed wires can suffer great harm.
Choose Kind Pet Costumes — If you’re dressing your pet up in Pet Costumes, make sure they don’t constrict the animal’s movement, hearing, vision or barking. Remember to choose safe costumes without dangling parts that could be chewed off and ingested, and never force your pet to wear a costume they’re uncomfortable in.
Keep Dog Treats Pet Safe — Don’t feed candy to pets, since they’ll likely encounter gastrointestinal problems! Avoid pet tummy aches by choosing pet-safe treats. Also, make sure Halloween plants and pumpkins are tucked away out of your pet’s reach so they don’t get accidentally munched on!

Information found on anytimecostumes.com

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