The top 10 tips for a safe Halloween
The best way to celebrate Halloween is at a
home-based party. However, if you do plan to go trick or treating, please follow these
guidelines and enjoy yourself while respecting other people's privacy.
Trick or treaters...
1) Always ensure that
there is adequate adult supervision -- never trick or treat alone. We suggest one
adult for every three children. Adults -- make a regular headcount of trick or treaters.
2) Plan a local route and
stick to it (preferably, contact householders for permission beforehand). Walk on
the pavement and only cross the road at well lit, safe places. Do not go into poorly lit
areas. Young children should hold an adult's hand near roads.
3) Always carry a torch or
even a glow stick so that you can be seen in the dark
-- you can always hold this under your chin for a scary look.
4) Take care with your Halloween costume -- costumes should be
large enough so that warm clothes can be worn underneath and should be flame-retardant. Do
not run while wearing a costume. Shoes should be comfortable and fit well -- even if they
don't match the costume. Incorporate reflective material in a costume to make the wearer
more visible in the dark.
5) Be careful when wearing
Halloween masks while walking from house to house.
If masks or hoods obstruct a child's vision, use face paints
instead. If an adult is in costume, do not drive while wearing a mask or hood.
6) Do not carry weapons or
other props -- this will intimidate householders and passers by.
7) Do not cut across lawns
or parks as there may be hidden objects.
8) Only visit houses with Halloween decorations such as a carved
pumpkin in the window -- not everyone will welcome trick or treaters,
so please respect their views.
9) Do not enter homes of
strangers -- only accept treats in the doorway and thank the householder for the
treat. And do not give them a trick.
10) Ask an adult to check
the treats before eating them -- you may be allergic!
The six safety tips for
householders...
1) Put a Halloween
decoration in your window if you are happy for trick or treaters
to visit you.
2) Leave on an external
light to enable trick or treaters to approach your door
without accident.
3) Take care when lighting
pumpkins -- ensure that curtains and other flammable materials are tied back.
4) Keep any treats near
your front door for security -- and don't invite any trick or treaters
into your home unless you know them.
5) Do not give homemade or
unwrapped treats in case of allergies.
6) Report any unsupervised
or unruly group of trick or treaters to the police.
The above information is
courtesy of The Halloween Association
