Halloween Safety for Your Home and Family
Summer has quickly faded into Fall, meaning traditionally the leaves begin to change and chillier weather rolls in. But it also means we can finally look ahead to fun seasonal holidays like Halloween, easily one of the most anticipated nights of the year. While we can all agree that Halloween will be different this year, there are additional risks and potential danger if you and your family are unprepared. So we’ve put together a solid roundup of Halloween safety tips, if you do decide to trick-or-treat, to make sure the only scares you’re getting are the fun kind!
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Halloween Safety for Your Home and Family
Editor’s note: A similar version of this blog was previously published by ACS Security
Decorations & Halloween Safety Tips
64% Of Americans Decorate for Halloween
Decorating the front lawn is a great way to celebrate Halloween. Plus it offers a way for passersby to enjoy the festivities and still maintain social distance. But make sure to keep items away from walkways. More often than not, people are out in the evenings on Halloween (plus it gets darker earlier!) and you wouldn’t want to cause anyone to fall. After all, it’s not “trip” or treating, is it?
Candles Are The Cause of 4% of All Home Fires
If you’re carving pumpkins odds are you’re also adding candles to add that spooky flicker on Halloween night. But multiple pumpkins with multiple candles outside can also increase the risk of fire. Especially with children running around in costumes that may be hard to see out of. Glow sticks and battery powered candles are a great, safe alternative that can still be just as spooky.
Remember that 3 out of 5 home fire deaths happened in homes without working fire alarms, so if you do decide to use candles, check to make sure your fire detectors are working properly. That way in the event of an accident you’re prepared to be alerted and take action.
Home Electrical Fires Account For An Estimated 51,000 Fires Each Year
If you’re really going all out for the season, you might find yourself with a large inflatable ghost or animatronic Frankenstein terrorizing your neighbors from your front lawn. Most similar decorations can even be purchased at any hardware store. But refrain from getting too many though as the more plugs in a socket only increase the risk of electrocution or an electrical fire.
If You Have Young Children, Check Out the Following Safety Tips for Celebrating Halloween Safely
1 In 13 Children Has a Food Allergy
For some children, even the tiniest exposure to an allergy can cause an anaphylactic allergic reaction. Which likely means a trip to the emergency room. You can do your part by providing non-food item options for those who are unable to collect candy treats at Halloween. Just be sure to find a way to communicate that your house is allergy friendly and that you offer non-food items like small novelty toys, stickers, or bubbles.
Halloween Is One Of The Top 3 Most Dangerous Holidays for Children
Before children go out trick or treating, take care to make a few extra precautionary measures. Avoid dark costumes, and make sure everything fits well enough to avoid vision impairment and the potential for tripping. Additionally, pack a flashlight or attach reflectors so other people (and vehicles) can see them even in the dark. Always walk on the sidewalk when trick or treating if they’re available, and check both ways before crossing the street. After all, twice as many children are killed crossing the road on Halloween.
12% Of Children Are Allowed To Trick Or Treat Alone
If you do decide to go trick or treating this year, be sure your children are armed with the knowledge to protect themselves. It’s important to make sure to only approach households that are not only participating in Halloween activities, but also doing so safely. Children should only knock on doors with the front light on and well-lit walkways. Stranger danger should always be a primary concern, especially when children are in groups alone. Be sure they understand that they should never enter another person’s home or vehicle that they don’t know or don’t have previous permission to from a trusted adult.
No One Under The Age of 12 Should Trick or Treat Alone
No matter how safe your neighborhood may be, it is always safer if kids go out in groups with adult supervision. As kids get older, it’s tempting for them to strive for independence, but a little over-caution can go a long way. But if you aren’t going to head out with your children, make sure you know the route they’ll be taking and let them know it is very important that they stick to it. This way you’ll know they’re safe and can find them if necessary.
80% Of All Adults Give Out Candy On Halloween
While things may look a little different this year, an overwhelming majority of households usually participate in some form of candy-giving on Halloween. Stay safe and take that extra step. Make sure to check all candy before eating and throw out any suspicious looking packaging with holes or tears. Even if the candy hasn’t been tampered with, it could still be spoiled.
Safety is all about taking that extra, precautionary step. Talk to your kids about staying safe while trick or treating, and reinforce it before they head out on Halloween night. The peace of mind that comes with preparation makes enjoying all that candy worth it!
