Halloween Safety

Scartelli Olszewski P.C.

For some families, few nights are better than Halloween. The decorating, the costumes, and the trick-or-treating (aka candy!) all make the evening fun and festive for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, Halloween also presents many unique dangers and with the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday may be a bit different this year. The good news is that with proper planning and preparation you can enjoy Halloween safely with your family and friends! Let’s talk about some Halloween safety tips…

COVID 19 Precautions

Wear a mask (and not just the costume kind!). Keep in mind that most costume masks alone aren’t effective at stopping the spread of germs. So make sure your child wears at least a two-ply face mask, and check that they can breathe comfortably if they are also going to use a costume mask. A better way to go – a Halloween-themed face mask!
Limit the group size. Keep your child’s trick-or-treating group to just siblings or close friends.
Plan your route. To limit unnecessary exposure to others, just go to a few homes on your street, or visit a few friends you know well.
Keep your hands clean. Remember to have kids use hand sanitizer in between homes to further reduce risk.
Social distance. Leave lots of space between any other trick-or-treaters.
Take precautions while preparing goody bags. If you are the one preparing, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after.
Stay home if you might be sick. If any of your family members are feeling sick or think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please stay home and quarantine!

Halloween Safety Tips

Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Always accompany children while trick-or-treating. If kids are old enough to go by themselves, plan a familiar route with them, and ask them to stick with friends.

Driving Safety Tips

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
Enter and exit driveways and streets carefully
At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing

While everyone does their best to keep their family and friends safe on Halloween, accidents can happen. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact us today.

Source:

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/autumn/halloween%5C

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html