- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Summer quickly faded to Fall with bright color leaves changing and crisp weather rolling in. These changes also mean that it’s spooky season, a time for costumes and delicious treats. Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights this month and staying safe is very important. That is why the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation put together a roundup of Halloween safety tips to make sure the only scares you’re getting are the fun kind!
- Pick a flame-resistant costume. Whether you or your children are dressing up as a ghost, pirate, monster, or princess this year, make sure the costume is resistant to fire. Look for “Flame-Resistant” or “Flame-Retardant” labels on fabric.
- Stay together. Trick-or-treating is best done in groups, no matter how safe your neighborhood may be. It is especially safe if a parent is supervising.
- Know the route. If children are going out unsupervised, make sure you know the route they will be taking, and let them know to stick to that path. Travel the route at night with your child beforehand, even if you are familiar with the area. Take note of the street lighting and crosswalk locations.
- Follow the light. Homes participating in trick-or-treat festivities should have their indoor and outdoor lights on to show that visitors are welcome. If a home is not well lit, skip it.
- Inspect candy before eating. Look at each piece of candy collected, even if individually wrapped, to ensure the item is new and unopened. Be wary of homemade snacks with unknown ingredients.
- See and be seen. Carry a flashlight when trick-or-treating after dark. If your costume is darker in color, consider attaching reflective strips to the outfit.
- Keep pets away from dangerous foods. Many of the treats we enjoy on Halloween are toxic to dogs. Ingredients that are extremely bad for Fido are chocolate, raisins, and sugar free or low sugar candies containing Xylitol.
Most importantly, create lasting memories this Halloween weekend while celebrating safely. For more information on events happening in your area contact your local municipality; or for more safety tips visit the National Safety Council’s website highlighting Simple Steps for an Extra Safe Halloween.
