Full Notification

Halloween Safety Tips

(Paulding County, GA) With superheroes and witches descending on neighborhoods in Paulding County later this month, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office offers parents a few safety tips to help prepare their children for a fun filled Halloween evening of trick or treating and festivities. “Following a few ‘common sense’ guidelines will help improve your safety and add to the fun and excitement for our children,” said Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge.

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.
• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
• Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
• Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) for those who visit your home.
• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
• Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.
• Be sure to check the sex offender registry at http://www.sheriffalerts.com/cap_main.php?office=54559 when planning your route or area to visit.

FUN ALTERNATIVES:

• Find a special event or start one in your own neighborhood.
• Community Centers, Shopping Malls and Churches may have organized festivities.
• Share the fun by arranging a visit to a Retirement Home or Senior Center.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• While children can help with the fun of designing a Jack O' Lantern, leave the carving to adults.
• Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.
• Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.
• Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
• Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins or a cell phone for non-emergency phone calls.
• Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.
• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.
• Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• A Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
o By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.
o Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.
o Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
o Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
o If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
o Never cut across yards or use alleys.
o Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
o Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
o Always walk. Never run across a street.
o Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks.
o Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
o Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
o Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.
o No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an adult at home.
o Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Some of the tips listed were provided by LAFD.