Halloween Safety Tips: Halloween Safety Tips Brought to you by: The DEP Training Section
Halloween History : Halloween History Halloween was originally a Celtic celebration to welcome in the winter season.
During this time, the Celts would open up their burial mounds allowing the spirits of their dead to walk through the village during the celebration.
Halloween History : Halloween History These wandering spirits would either bring safety to the villagers during the winter (Treat) or they would usher in cold, hard times (Trick).
Modern Halloween : Modern Halloween Now that Halloween has lost some if its more sinister connotations, it has become an event based on fun and fantasy for adults and children alike.
Modern Halloween: Modern Halloween The marketplace sees Halloween as mainly a “sales event preparation” – an event that prepares retailers and consumers for the major holidays to follow – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day.
Modern Halloween: Modern Halloween It is also a good excuse
to dress like Batman
and eat as much candy
as you can in 24 hours!
Halloween Safety Topics : Halloween Safety Topics Treats
Costume Materials
Costume Design
Houses to Trick-or-Treat
Pedestrian Safety
Treats: Treats Do not eat anything you receive while Trick-or-Treating until it is checked by an adult
Food may be contaminated
Allergies
Candy Checks
Carefully check all candy received as soon as the Trick-or-Treaters arrive home
Remove all tampered, old, and “funny looking” candy
Hospitals and Police Stations will check candy for FREE
Bring your own candy to eat while Trick-or-Treating
Don’t Take Candy From This Person…: Don’t Take Candy From This Person…
Costume Materials: Costume Materials FLAME RESISTANT MATERIALS!!
$ 2.99 Costumes = NO!!
As a general rule, the cheaper the costume the less flame resistant it will be.
Rayon and Synthetic Costumes
Costume Design: Costume Design Trim costumes with reflective tape
Carry flashlights (glow sticks, flaming skulls, light sabers, etc.)
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling
Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes
Costume Design: Costume Design Masks should fit!
Using face paint or make-up whenever possible is a great alternative
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material
Houses to Trick-or-Treat: Houses to Trick-or-Treat An ADULT should always accompany children
Don’t talk to strangers
Children should go only to homes where the residents are known
Only visit houses with outside lights ON
Never, ever go inside to collect candy
Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters: Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters Move Halloween decorations from the walkway
Make sure to have lights ON
Place battery operated lights in Jack-O-Lanterns to avoid fire hazard
Keep sugar free and peanut free candy on hand
Pedestrian Safety: Pedestrian Safety MOST IMPORTANT!
Always have an adult or guardian present
Walk on the side-walk – never in the street!
Go in the late afternoon or at night – avoid sunset
Pedestrian Safety: Pedestrian Safety Avoid walking between parked cars
While driving – WATCH FOR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING – they really blend in while in costume!
Can You Find the Kid? – they may blend into the decor: Can You Find the Kid? – they may blend into the decor
Resources: Resources www.wikipedia.com
http://babyparenting.about.com/od/holidayactivities/a/halloweensafety.htm
www.FDLE.com
Images from Google Image Search and Microsoft ClipArt Gallery