DID YOU KNOW?
‘Tis the season for spooky creatures to appear, but with it fast approaching, don’t you fear! Though friendly ghosts will soon fill the air … safety’s a thing we must constantly share!
Hallowe’en can be an exciting time for children, but the thrill of costumes and treats can be a major distraction, making it easy to forget basic safety rules. Research actually shows that these distractions can significantly increase a child’s risk of being struck by a vehicle.
A fantastic Hallowe’en is a safe Hallowe’en. Whether you are a parent, guardian, caregiver, trick-or-treater, or simply participating in the festivities, securing the well-being of the community is a shared responsibility. Below you’ll find some simple safety tidbits that deserve your attention; make sure to practice them consistently:
AVOID DANGERS WHEN DECORATING:
- Ensure to keep a path leading up to your door clear of decorations and other obstacles.
- Use a flashlight, battery operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns; lit candles are associated with many preventable fires—some fatal—each year across Canada.
- It is paramount to make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit.
- Ensure combustible Hallowe’en decorations, such as crepe paper, cornstalks, dried leaves in those pumpkin garbage bags, and dried flowers are kept well away from flame sources and other sources of heat, including light bulbs and heaters.
- If you’re using decorative lights, indoors or outdoors, use lights certified by a recognized organization such as CSA, ULC, cUL, or cETL etc.
- Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections; discard damaged sets.
- Outdoor electrical outlets should have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs); the GFCIs should also have weatherproof covers to prevent moisture from getting in.
- DO NOT OVERLOAD extension cords!
CHOOSING SAFE COSTUMES:
- Select costumes and accessories that are less likely to catch on fire, such as those made of nylon or heavyweight polyester; some costumes may be labelled flame-resistant, but remember, flame-resistant does not mean fire-proof.
- Choose brightly coloured costumes, reflective tape, or armbands to heighten visibility, as well as properly fitted ones that can be worn over warm clothing to protect your child against cold and wet weather.
- Glow sticks are also an excellent method to increase visibility; accessorize costumes with a flashlight.
- Avoid costumes that are too big or have long dangling pieces so as to reduce the chance of tripping over.
- If using props, such as a flexible, plastic sword or knife, make sure the sharp tip is cut off or filed round.
- Footwear should fit properly even if they do not go well with a costume.
CHOOSE NON-TOXIC FACE PAINT INSTEAD OF MASKS:
- Masks can make it hard for children to see properly and often restrict peripheral vision, making it difficult to check for oncoming traffic before crossing a road.
- Many masks for sale during the Hallowe’en season actually require that the eye-holes be cut larger for the sake of good peripheral vision.
- Consider non-toxic face paint or make-up instead of masks; 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 products labelled as “hypoallergenic” can still cause allergic reactions.
Don’t miss next week’s Safety Tidbits Column! I’ll be sharing a second round of Hallowe’en safely tidbits.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
