Halloween Safety Tips!

I’ve been around the trick-or-treating block a few times in my day so a post on Safety Tips for All Hallow’s Eve seemed to me a little, well, blah.  However, two things came to mind.

1.  If you’re like me and are somewhat new to the game with your own kids a little refresher doesn’t hurt.  After all it has been quite a few years since I dressed up and begged for candy.

2.  In case you haven’t noticed, the world is not what it was when we were growing up.  By “we” I mean we 20-30 somethings that grew up in the late 70’s – early 80’s.  Things have changed and many of us don’t even know our own neighbors.

That being said I think a little refresher and some common sense tips on the “do’s” and “don’ts” of Halloween may be just what the witch doctor ordered.  (Did you get that, a little holiday joke there:)

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]S [/typography]      Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]A [/typography]     Avoid trick-or-treating alone.  Walk in groups or with a trusted adult

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]F [/typography]     Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags so drivers can see you

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]E [/typography]     Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.  Limit the amount of treats you eat.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]H [/typography]     Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.  Always walk and don’t run from house to house.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]A [/typography]     Always test make-up on a small area of skin first.  Always remove it before bedtime to prevent any skin rash or irritation.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]L [/typography]     Look both way before crossing the street.  Use established crosswalks whenever possible

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]L [/typography]     Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]O [/typography]     Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on  the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]W [/typography]     Wear well fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]E [/typography]    Eat only factory wrapped treats.  Avoid eating homemade treats provided by strangers.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]E [/typography]     Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.  Only visit well-lit houses.  Never accept rides from strangers.

[typography font=”Maiden Orange” size=”30″ size_format=”px” color=”#ff5b03″]N [/typography]     Never walk near lit candles or luminaries.  Be sure to wear flame resistant costumes.

So there you have it.  I’d like to take credit for that very thorough list but I can’t.  It’s actually the official holiday safety tips list  put out by the CDC.  However, my personal fave is the tip on not wearing the decorative contact lenses.  Leave it to the public health people to put a damper on my bloodshot vampire eyes.  (Note the sarcasm with which I wrote that last statement).

Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

Now the more burning question…what are you going to do with all that candy?  I want to hear how you save, get rid of, give away the candy and what your personal protocols are with the kids and candy?