Happy Halloween Safety Tips

Right Reaction’s Halloween Safety Tips for Kids & Parents
Candy Safety
WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!!
- Kids should not open any candy until they return home
- Kids should eat a meal before going out – don’t snack while trick-or-treating
- Accept only packaged and wrapped candy
- Do not eat any candy that has been unwrapped or opened
- Never eat fruit or other unwrapped items
- Parents/adults should inspect all candy for tampering before allowing kids to eat
- Throw away ALL candy or food that is not wrapped tightly by the candy company
- Throw away anything that looks like it may be unwrapped or punctured
- Young children should not have hard candy, gum or anything that can become a choking hazard
- Avoid tummy-aches by limiting the amount of candy consumed in a single day
- If you find an object in the candy or if there is anything unusual about it, call the police or the Poison Control Centre at 1-800-268-9017 (Ontario)
- Do not eat any homemade treats or candy that looks to be re-packaged in clear sandwich bags
- If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to READ the
Labels
- Don’t give your pets any treats from your Halloween candy – chocolate, raisins, nuts can be harmful or toxic for some pets
- Don’t put your candy where you pets can get at it
Costume Safety
- Wear flame retardant costumes
- Try on costumes well in advance of wearing to allow time for alterations
- Alter costumes’ length if required to ensure your costume isn’t a tripping hazard
- Apply reflective tape to costumes to make them more visable
- Avoid masks that obstruct vision – Use makeup instead if possible
- Use only hypoallergenic and non-toxic makeup
- Wear comfortable and practical shoes
- Secure shoelaces properly to avoid tripping
- Watch costumes near candles
- Only costume weapons should be carried – they must be flexible and safe
Makeup Safety
- Follow directions on package carefully
- Don’t use products that are not intended for skin
- Don’t use face paint near the eyes, even if the label shows a picture of people wearing near eyes
- Don’t go to bed with your makeup on. Wearing it too long may irritate skin or get into eyes
- Some hair sprays can become toxic and become absorbed through the skin
- Remove all makeup, hair products, body stickers, temporary tattoos, fake eyelashes, etc before bed
Trick-or-Treating Safety
- Plan your route before heading out
- Trick-or-treat in familiar neighbourhoods
- Carry a flashlight after dark
- Trick-or-treat in groups with an adult
- Stay on the sidewalks and OFF of the streets
- Cross streets at crosswalks
- Obey traffic lights at major intersections
- RESPECT people’s property. Walk only on driveways and walkways unless invited onto grass
- Watch for open flames on candles and in jack-o-lanterns.
- Visit well-lit houses only. Skip houses that are dark or poorly lit
- Never enter a house – unless you know the owners
- Carry a spare Halloween bag in case of breakage
- Never criss-cross a street – go up one side of block, then down the other side
- WATCH for cars – remove masks, hoods, etc to LOOK properly for cars
- Respect people & their property – be polite & say “Thank You”
- Some people may not be home or may not give out candy – skip houses that don’t have lights on
Considerations for Houses Giving Out Candy
- Do not give out homemade or unwrapped treats
- Try to avoid candy with nuts or other allergens if possible
- For young children, avoid giving out choking hazards such as gum, hard candies & small toys
- If possible, consider different treats for younger kids and older kids
- Make sure you have porch/house lights on to make it safer for trick-or-treaters
- Light walkways and driveways
- Don’t put jack-o-lanterns or candles too close to walkways or doors where candy is given out
- Avoid strobe lights and never let them face a walkway – they can trigger seizures for some people
- Make sure your property is safe for others who approach
- Make walkways wide, decorations shouldn’t obstruct path