Written by Greta Gustafson, Media Relations Intern, American Red Cross
Halloween blends scary and fun together to create the ultimate holiday; candy, ghosts and ghouls, and staying up late are all pretty hard to beat. The best part of Halloween, for me, was always carving Jack-O-Lanterns. As a kid, I remember searching for the perfect pumpkin until my parents would force me to choose. When it came time for the main event – pumpkin carving – they would watch me like a hawk. But Halloween safety didn’t stop there. Here are a few tips from the Red Cross to keep your family safe this Halloween.
- Never leave candles burning unsupervised. Seeing the glowing smile of a Jack-O-Lantern is always a sign that Halloween, and more specifically candy, are just around the corner. But it is extremely important to remember to blow out all of your candles before leaving your home or going to bed. Speaking of fire safety, the Red Cross might be in your neighborhood this Halloween season to help make sure your home stays safe.
- Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time.
Or plan multiple routes to maximize treat collection (highly recommended by this author). Either way, be aware of where your children are at all times. An adult should accompany young children around the neighborhood.
- Use face paint instead of masks.
Masks can slip down and make it challenging to see. Also, it can be hard to identify your friends and family when their faces are covered. Face paint is a great way to express your creativity while staying safe.
- Visit only the homes that have a porch light on.
The ones without their lights on usually don’t have any of the good candy anyway!
- Walk only on sidewalks, not in the street.
Trick-or-treating is exciting, and sometimes it can be hard to navigate the slow moving crowds. However, make sure to stick to the sidewalks. A few extra minutes are well worth avoiding an accident. If you are in an area without sidewalks, walk on the edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- For those welcoming trick-or-treaters, keep your yard free of obstacles.
Please go crazy with your home decorating, but make sure there is a clear, well-lit path to the front door.
Halloween may be a combination of scary and fun, but with these tips we can make sure the emphasis continues to stay on the fun part. Now go out and, safely, enjoy your trick-or-treating!