By Rob Carter & Gene Rice, PrepareFirst, Atlanta

Halloween is fun for kids but it can be a dangerous night for them. Take a few minutes to review these tips to help keep your family safe this Halloween and during the holidays.

Halloween Safety Tips

  • BE SEEN ON HALLOWEEN! When trick-or-treating at night, wear bright and reflective clothing and costumes. Use glow sticks and flashlights to help prevent vehicle/pedestrian accidents when walking in your neighborhood. Trick-or-treat in areas that are well-lit.
  • CROSS AT CORNERS and assume drivers do not see you. Drivers, be on the look out for children crossing in the middle of the road and please drive slowly!
  • USE ONLY FLAME RESISTANT HOLIDAY COSTUMES to reduce burn risks.
  • TEACH CHILDREN WHAT TO DO IF CLOTHING CATCHES FIRE: Stop, Drop (to the floor), Cover (face with hands), Roll (to extinguish the flames). Learn more.
  • STORE HALLOWEEN CANDY SAFELY away from babies and toddlers since many of the treats are choking hazards.
  • COSTUME CAUTION! Make sure your child’s costume fits – you don’t want it to become a tripping hazard. Masks make it difficult for children to see. Swords and other accessories can be dangerous.

Holiday Parties

  • BE CAREFUL OF OTHER HOMES you may be visiting because they may not be childproofed and your child may have access to a wide range of hazards.
  • CLEAN UP PROMPTLY after a holiday party so that children don’t have an opportunity to ingest food or alcohol left over by your guests.
  • KEEP HOT FOOD AND DRINKS AT A SAFE DISTANCE from children who may try to touch them if they are too close to the perimeter of a table or counter.
  • SERVE INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS OF FOOD to avoid germs being shared by people who may have colds.
  • CHECK FOR SMALL PARTS that are part of toys or decorations. If it fits in an empty toilet paper roll, consider it a choking hazard for young children.

Holiday Decorations

  • USE BATTERY OPERATED LIGHTS VS. CANDLES inside pumpkins, on mantles aFacebook Cover Photo Template for IAFCSnd around the house to avoid fire and burn injuries. Be particularly careful of “button” batteries or magnets that might be used in these products and can cause serious injuries if swallowed (select models that are secured with screws). Glow sticks can also be used for jack-o’-lanterns.
  • KEEP PORCHES AND SIDEWALKS CLEAR especially of candles since children might brush against something or trip when trick-or treating.
  • KEEP FIREPLACE AREAS CLEAR of any papers and other flammable decorations which could be ignited by a spark. Use hearth gates to block access to fireplaces.
  • STORE MATCHES AND LIGHTERS SAFELY out of the reach of little fingers.
  • CHECK DECORATIVE LIGHTS FOR DAMAGE and do not use any lights or light strings which have damaged bulbs, wires, sockets or which are obviously not functioning properly.
  • ONLY USE INDOOR-RATED LIGHTS INDOORS AND OUTDOOR-RATED LIGHTS OUTDOORS to reduce fire risk.
  • DON’T LET CHILDREN TOUCH ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, particularly if they are at an age where they might be inclined to put their mouths on the object.
  • TURN OFF ALL HOLIDAY LIGHTS when going to bed or leaving the house to avoid fire risk.
  • AVOID PLACING BREAKABLE OR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS where a child can reach them and become injured. Protect children from sharp surfaces or choking hazards.
  • REMOVE STRINGS AND RIBBONS from any object that a child can access to reduce choking and/or strangulation risks.
  • COOK ON THE BACK BURNERS and keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove. Also, don’t let appliance cords hang over the side of counters where a child can grab hold of them. With busy holiday cooking, keep children out of the kitchen and consider the use of baby gates.

Home Safety: Change Your Clocks & Change Your BatteriesCarbon Monoxide Detector

  • TEST YOUR FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT to ensure it is all in good working order. Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and fire ladders. Change the batteries when you change your clocks. Learn more.
  • REVIEW YOUR FAMILY FIRE ESCAPE PLAN to make sure everyone remembers what to do if there is a fire emergency. Practice it!
  • ENFORCE USE OF A PROPERLY FITTED HELMET at all times to protect against brain injury when using any bicycle, scooter, skateboard or rollerblades/skates.