Halloween is a favorite holiday for many kids and adults. Dressing up in costumes, staying up after dark and going trick or treating all raise holiday excitement. However, without the proper safety steps in mind, Halloween can easily turn from a real treat to a nasty trick.
The experienced New York injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP encourage you and your family to have a fun holiday season that includes these safety steps:
- Remind kids that “safe walking” rules still apply. If you go trick or treating from house to house, remind kids that earning the privilege of trick or treating means meeting the responsibility of safe walking. This means crossing only at marked intersections, walking on sidewalks and looking both ways before crossing any street. Also remind kids to walk, not run, between houses, because seeing a hazard like a broken sidewalk or hole can be harder in the dark.
- Plan costumes for safety. Choose costumes that are made of flame-retardant material. Test face paint on a small patch of skin before using, since some people experience irritation from certain face paints. Make sure kids can move easily in their costumes and won’t trip and fall, and include reflective tape or lights on a costume to make its wearer easier to see in the dark.
- Treat safely. Inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them, and remind kids not to “snack” from their treat bags as they walk. If you believe an item has been opened or tampered with, throw it away. Limit the number of treats eaten in a day to avoid illness.
Enjoy the spooky fall festivities and stay safe!