12 Children’s Safety Tips For Halloween

Written by: Ken Selander Category: Children's Injuries, Children's Issues

Selander O’Brien has represented injury victims in Washington for more than two decades – and our firm knows that no injury is more disturbing than those involving children.   The scariest night of the year is creeping up fast, and we’ve got a few tips to help keep kids safe this Halloween weekend.

Costumes         

  1. When choosing a costume, make sure it fits correctly to prevent trips and falls.
  2. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colors when possible.
  3. Use face paint and makeup rather than masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. But only use paints intended for use on skin, and toss any makeup that smells bad or appears discolored. Test on an arm to check for any allergic reactions or skin sensitivities before applying to the face.
  4. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. However, glow sticks should be worn and not chewed on. The liquid tends to be minimally toxic, but can cause irritation if swallowed or splashed into the eyes. NEVER put glow sticks in the microwave!

Trick-or-Treating

  1. Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  2. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
  3. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
  4. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never allow children to dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  5. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Always look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
  6. Children under 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  7. Before eating, always inspect candy for signs of tampering or compromised packaging, including rips, tears, broken seals, pinholes or discoloration. Don’t consume homemade goods received from strangers, and be sure to double-check for products that may look like candy but aren’t, such as cough drops or marijuana edibles. When in doubt, throw it out!
  8. Go Local: Join your friends and neighbors for trick-or-treating throughout the historic Columbia City business district – a super safe and family friendly event planned for Sat. Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 pm. Look for the orange and black balloons and don’t forgot to stop by the Selander O’Brien office (3829C S. Edmunds St.) from 3 to 5 pm where we’ll be passing out some scary good treats!

Have fun and happy Halloween! Ken