Halloween is its own special occasion and one of the few times of the year when children can become someone or something else for a night.
It best to be prepared and consider some safety measures before taking part in trick-or-treat activities – darkness, traffic, and accepting candy or food from strangers.
“It’s always best if parents accompany kids and that they travel in groups,” said Brian Wood, Fort Knox, Kentucky, safety specialist. “Children should also wear light-colored clothing or some sort of reflective material. Flashlights help them see [obstacles] and help them to be seen by drivers. Parents shouldn’t accept ‘homemade’ candies or foods, but only securely, commercially-wrapped candy that they have ensured hasn’t been [tampered with].”
Wood also said parents should have a plan complete with rules simple enough for children to understand and concise enough that they will not forget if they get lost and frightened.
“Kids can get excited and you don’t want them zig-zagging from house to house without paying attention to traffic. Rules should be simplistic and what they’re used to: Stay with the group, cross at the crosswalk and look both ways before crossing,” Wood said. “Parents might [consider] an emergency plan with a known [meeting] point [in the event] that children wander off. They should know that if they get separated from the group, they will wait for the group until [the group] finds them.”
At Fort Campbell, the military police and Soldier-volunteers from the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program join forces for Operation Friendly Ghost during which they monitor on-post neighborhoods and street crossings to ensure trick-or-treaters remain safe during Halloween hours.
“What we want to do is to assist the Families in the community by providing protection during the holiday hours,” 1st Lt. Gabriel Martinez of 218th MP company, the mission commander for Operation Friendly Ghost, told the Fort Campbell Courier in a previous article. “We want Soldiers to be able to focus on their mission. We don’t want them to have to worry about if their kids are safe.”
Parents also should consider that Halloween night temperatures when planning costumes. Cooler temperatures can be mitigated by layering clothing under costumes that also should fit well to alleviate trips or falls.
“Costumes should fit properly so kids aren’t tripping over their outfits. Masks shouldn’t cover the eyes and should allow kids to see where they’re going,” Wood said. “Walking or running shoes are advised rather walking in [costume footwear] at night.”
The Food and Drug Administration suggests children eat a hearty snack before heading out to discourage snacking before the Halloween candy is inspected by an adult. As well, food labels should be checked for allergens, avoid drinking unpasteurized juices, and thoroughly wash any fruit prior to eating it, especially apples used from a traditional Halloween bobbing for apples tank.
The FDA also advises parents to look for flame-resistant labels on costumes, test small amounts of costume makeup on an arm first to ensure there isn’t an allergic reaction, and get a prescription to wear colored contact lenses rather than novelty lenses that can irritate eyes.
Parents and trick-or-treaters are not the only ones who need to consider safety. Wood said homeowners also have a role to play.
“Homeowners need to keep the walks well-lit, and keep lawn or porch ornaments clear from walk areas,” Wood said. “Be careful that [props] meant to surprise visitors don’t spook them so that they trip or run into things. Dogs should be put up so they don’t react to strangers in masks.”
Automobile operators should be aware and adjust for increased foot traffic on Halloween, Wood said.
“Drivers who transport trick-or-treaters from place to place should use their hazards to warn other drivers that they will [make frequent stops],” Wood said. “Drivers will need to drive slower and pay special attention to their surroundings, and where children could be walking. It really is a job for the community to look out for each other so everyone makes it home after a fun evening.”