We all want to ensure our children’s safety during the halloween season. Below are a few tips and tricks to make sure costumes, decorations, treats and activities are kept safe.
Costumes:
- Look for flame resistant costumes and accessories and remember, flame-resistant doesn’t mean fire-proof.
- Pick brightly colored costumes that can be clearly seen by motorists. Add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility.
- Use make-up or face paint instead of masks. If you do choose a mask, make sure it fits properly and allows them to see and breathe easily.
- Choose costumes that fit well and can be worn over warm clothing to protect your child against cold and wet weather. Avoid costumes that are too big or have long dangling pieces they or other children can trip over.
- Do not use contact lenses that change eye color or create special effects because they can cause injury to a child’s eyes.
- Before using face paint or make-up, do a patch test to see if your child is sensitive or allergic to something in the cosmetic. Even “hypoallergenic” products can cause allergic reactions.
- Ensure that toy weapons and similar accessories are made of soft or flexible material.
Candies and Toys
- Always examine the treats and toys that are brought home before giving them to your children.
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until you have looked them over.
- Be careful when giving children any treats as small pieces are choking hazards
- Check toys or novelty items for small parts and don’t let children under three years of age play with them
Jack-o-Lanterns & Flames
- To avoid injuries, let children draw a face or design on the pumpkin and then have an adult carve it.
- Candles, lighters and matches are fire hazards. Place lighted candles and jack-o-lanterns away from curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave them unattended. & Keep them out of the reach of children.
- Instead of candles, consider using a small flashlight or battery candle to light your jack-o-lantern.
- If you arr going to use candles, avoid using those with multiple wicks. They will produce a large flame with intense heat that can ignite nearby materials like curtains and window sills.
- Check indoor and outdoor decorative lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Do not overload extension cords.
- Make sure the lights are CSA and or ULC approved (Canadian Safety Assoc. and Underwriters’ Laboratory of Canada)
Visitors to your home:
- It is important to make your home safe for visiting trick or tre aters. Remove objects outside of your house that could cause children to trip or fall. Turn on your outdoor lights to increase visibility and let trick-or-treaters know they can visit.
- If you are in your car driving on Halloween, please be careful of kids, they’re excited and aren’t going to be watching for you a closely as they should be.
For more information, please visit http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/security-securite/home-maison/halloween-eng.php.