Halloween Safety Tips
Everyone wants to have a safe and Happy Halloween for themselves, their guests, and their children. Using safety tips and common sense can help you make the most of your Halloween season and make it as enjoyable for your kids as it is for you!
TIPS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE
Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer, although you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof, and make sure the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.
Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes, and flower pots that can trip up the little ones.
If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.
Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner (I know; good luck but try anyway) before sending them out will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.
Teach your kids to stay away from and don't pet animals that they don’t know, and remember even ones they do know can be stressed and scared and may not recognize them in their costume.
Explain to older children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side of the coin as well; clean up and damages can ruin Halloween for somebody else. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made.
Explain to older children that animal cruelty is not acceptable. Kids may know this on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing. Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.
TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE AND AT EASE
Leaving your pets outside on Halloween is not a god idea; dogs and cats can scare easily with all the trick-or-treaters coming to your house.
As much as your dog or cat may beg for some of your Halloween candies, always remember that chocolate is deadly to them in any amount.
Dogs can have lethal tails, wagging all over the place. Don't leave any lighted candles or Jack-O-Lanterns where they could be knocked over by a swinging tail or by a curious cat. Not only could your pet start a fire but they could severely burn themselves in the process.
If you are going to dress your pet in a costume, keep in mind that unless the dog or cat is extremely receptive to this kind of thing, you could be causing it discomfort and stress. Some animals don't mind at all but others do not want to be bothered with this kind of thing. They'll be under enough stress with the festivities going on outside and people at the door constantly so don't cause them any more nervousness then you have to. You may love to dress in costume but then, you aren't a dog or a cat.
If you put a mask of some type on your animal, make sure that the eye holes are big enough for them to see peripherally. Animals depend on their vision to let them know what's going on and even the nicest dog can get snippy if he can't see what's around him. In fact, masks really aren't a good idea.
If you are having an indoor party, make sure that you put your dog or cat in a room where they won't be disturbed. Unless your pet is ultra friendly and doesn't mind loud noises, music and lots of people you should keep them separate for the night. Also, be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through the open door as you hand out candy. Best bet is to just put them in a room with some food and water for the night and check on them once in a while to let them know everything is fine.
Stay safe and have fun!