Avoid a Fright Night with our 6 Halloween Safety Tips

2019 has flown like a witch on a souped-up broom and Halloween is just around the corner – ready to jump out and shout BOO! Although South Africans don’t celebrate Halloween in the traditional sense, trick-or-treating is an exciting time for children who can easily get caught up in candy and costumes. Avoid any frights this spooky season and keep your kids safe with our top 6 Halloween safety tips.

1. When in Doubt – Chuck it out!

Always inspect the candy your child receives and throw away any that are unwrapped, partially wrapped, faded, torn or anything that appears to be tampered with. Any homemade treats should be treated with extra caution and only accepted from people you trust.

2. Visibility is Vital.

Large crowds and kids on a sugar rush are ingredients for a disastrous situation. Don’t let your children attend any function without a trusted adult and make sure they’re as visible as possible. Fun objects that light up and glow sticks, so long as they aren’t at risk of leaking, are great ways to make sure your child is always noticeable.

3. Not so tiny trick-or-treaters.

If you have older children attending an event without adult supervision, ensure that they go in a large group, stay in familiar well-lit areas, know to stick together and check in regularly.

4. Stay on the Stoep.

Don’t feel the need to visit every house on the block. Look for well-lit homes and never let children enter a stranger’s home.

5. Carefully Select Costumes.

Choosing the right costume is very important. Aside from having the coolest kid at the party, choosing a costume that fits well and allows a full range of motion will help to avoid any tripping accidents. Although we’d like to think that any children’s event wouldn’t have a real fire, such as candles in Jack-O-Lanterns, as a precaution choose non-flammable fabrics. Opt for anything with 100% synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic.

6. Slow it down.

If you’re driving, particularly around 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, anticipate pedestrians, drive slowly, and turn on your headlights earlier in the day. Pedestrians are also advised to slow it down, don’t get caught up in the excitement of trick-or-treating, walk safely, and always follow the rules of the road.
How ever you are spending Halloween, have fun but be safe, alert and responsible.