Be safe this Halloween!
Stock image
By Amy Horne, Executive Director, CASA of Caroline
Trick or Treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat! Who else remembers that from their childhood? That was back when trick-or-treating was always safe and something you did in your own neighborhood. While times may have changed, concern for child safety has not. We all want kids to have fun on Halloween but most importantly, we want them to be SAFE! CASA of Caroline has put together some tips to keep your children and their friends safe while still having a blast this Halloween:
- Dress appropriately: Make sure costumes fit well and are flame resistant. Avoid long dresses, baggy sleeves, and big and/or open-toed shoes that can cause kids to trip or fall.
- Use face paint: Face paint is better than masks, which can make it hard for the child to see and hard for you to see any distress on the child’s face.
- Bring light sources: Glow sticks or flashlights help kids see where they’re going and to be seen by drivers.
- Stay in groups: Send kids trick-or-treating in groups with an adult or two. Always remember there’s safety in numbers!
- Stay in safe areas: Stick to neighborhoods you know and only go to homes with lights on. Not everyone likes to participate in Halloween so be respectful of homes that choose not to turn on their front lights.
- Be cautious around animals: Be especially careful around dogs who might also be overstimulated by all the excitement. And definitely don’t try to give them your candy! Chocolate can make dogs and cats very sick.
- Walk safely: Walk on sidewalks, facing traffic, and don't run. If there's no sidewalk, walk on the far edge of the road or on the grass when possible.
- Drive safely: This one is for those not trick-or-treating! Drive below the speed limit, especially in residential areas. Don't pass stopped vehicles, as they may be dropping off children. Keep your eyes peeled for any excited child who runs out in the street.
- Check treats: Wait until you're home to inspect your kids' candy for tampering. Discard treats that are not packaged by the manufacturer or someone you know and trust.
These are just a few suggestions to make sure that you and your children have fun and stay safe on Halloween. Another suggestion is to start preparing for October 31 by attending CASA of Caroline’s Halloween themed Trivia Night on Thursday, October 17 at The Cow Barn in Ridgely. Tickets are $55 pp or $200/team of 4. VIP tickets are available for $100 pp and include priority seating and unlimited beer and wine. For more information on this event or any of CASA of Caroline’s programming, please reach out to Amy or Victor at 410-479-8301 or info@casaofcaroline.org.
