Trick-or-treating is a fun Halloween holiday event that’s loved by young children. But to ensure that your little ones have as safe of a Halloween as possible, make sure you employ these Halloween safety tips for kids provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Choose a Costume That Doesn’t Impair Visibility or Walking Proficiency
Your child will no doubt have a significant say in his or her costume. That being said, you may have to lay down the law and veto a costume that could be dangerous.
Costumes that inhibit walking ability have accessories or features that could contribute to a slip and fall accident, or impair visibility (such as the use of a mask) can all be dangerous. Instead, nix the mask, and make sure your child’s costume of choice is one in which he or she can easily walk and see.
Ensure Costume Accessories are Safe
Some costume accessories aren’t safe. From small parts that a young child could choke on to larger parts that could cause injury to oneself or other children (like fake swords and knives. The latter should always be soft and safe for use by young children.
Use Lights and Reflective Materials
Incorporating the use of lights and reflective materials (or reflective tape) into your child’s costume is an excellent way to help drivers see your child, reducing the risk of a car accident. Carrying a flashlight also helps your child to see where he or she is walking, which can help to lessen the risk of a slip and fall accident.
Never Trick-or-Treat Alone
Trick-or-treating alone is one of the most dangerous things a child can do. A parent should supervise a trick-or-treat outing, regardless of the number of kids present or kids’ ages. If possible, trick-or-treating in a group helps to improve trick-or-treaters’ visibility. As the adage goes, there is safety in numbers.
Examine All Candy
Examine all of your child’s candy before letting him or her dig in. There are two things that you should keep an eye out for: candy that may pose a choking hazard if your child is young, and candy that is homemade/has an open wrapper and, therefore, may be unsafe.
Use Sidewalks or Designated Paths
When trick-or-treating on the night of Halloween, be sure always to use designated sidewalks or walking paths. Not only is walking on a roadway when a sidewalk is available against the law (Section 1156 of New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law), but it’s also dangerous. The safest place for trick-or-treaters is on a sidewalk or designated walking path. Review some tips for keeping your kids safe when playing near the road.
Avoid Entering a Person’s Home
Unless the individual who owns the home is a trusted adult, a child should not enter another person’s home, period. Entering the home of a stranger can be very dangerous, for boy, girls, and adults. If invited in, politely refuse and move on to the next house.
Limit Amount of Candy Consumed
Binging on candy isn’t an uncommon occurrence for children both on Halloween night and the following days. But the amount of candy that is consumed should be limited; eating too much sugar at once can cause sugar-headaches, anxious and high-energy behavior, and stomachaches. What’s more, consumption of sugar is the number one cause of Type II Diabetes.
Consult with an Attorney in New York if Your Child Is Injured
If your child sustains an injury while trick-or-treating in New York this Halloween that could have been prevented but for the actions of a negligent party, you should take legal action. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our attorneys can meet with you to discuss your child’s injuries and the possibility of a civil claim for damages. To get started, call our offices today at 800-550-0000.
