Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, but it can also be dangerous if they aren’t
prepared. Here are a few tips from your friends at Purohit Pediatrics to help you and
your family have a safe and happy Halloween!

Alternatives to Carving a Pumpkin:
So, you’ve been to the pumpkin patch. Before you get out the carving kit, consider this.
More than 3500 pumpkin-carving related injuries were reported in the US last year. Here
are a few safe and fun alternatives to carving up those pumpkins.
● Pumpkin Painting: This is great for children of all ages! All you need is a little
craft paint, drop cloth, and a few brushes to have hours of fun.
● Duct Tape Pumpkins: Wrap your pumpkins in one of Duct Tape’s creative and
spooky Halloween designs.
● Melted Crayon Pumpkin: Get out those old crayons, tape them to the top of a
(preferable painted) pumpkin, heat them up, and let them drip to create a
beautiful masterpiece.

Costume Safety:
● Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible,
choose light-colored clothing.
● Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags
for greater visibility.
● Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up
whenever possible. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over the
eyes.
● If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not
sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he or she
stumbles or trips.

Make Sure Your Home is Safe for Trick-or-Treaters:
● Be sure to remove from your yard or porch any tripping hazards for your visiting
trick-or-treaters such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
● Check to make sure that all of your outdoor lights are working properly.
● Restrain your pets, so they don’t inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

When They’re Out on the Prowl:
● A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their
neighborhood rounds.
● Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights so they can see better, as well as be
seen by drivers.
● If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable
to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home, and make sure
someone in the group has a cell phone for emergencies.
● Make sure your children know to only go to homes with a porch light on and
never enter a home or car for a treat.

Because children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, remind your
trick-or-treaters:
● Stay in a group, and always communicate where they will be going.
● Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
● Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
● Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
● If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing
traffic.
● Never cut across yards or use alleys.
● Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks, and never
cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
● Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing
trick-or-treaters. Children should always make sure the driver sees them
before crossing.
● It’s best to cross the street safely at corners. Always look left, right, and left again
when crossing. Keep looking as you cross!
● Review with children how to call 9-1-1 if they ever have an emergency or become
lost.
● Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or
unlawful activity.

From all of us at Purohit Pediatric Clinic, we hope that you and your family have a safe
and Happy Halloween!