Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeFriday, Oct. 30, 2009
Tips offered to have a safe Halloween weekend
By the Herald staff
Halloween's greatest hazards aren't vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and car crashes, says the Benton-Franklin Chapter of the American Red Cross.
So here are some tips for making this holiday weekend safe for your trick-or-treating ghosts and goblins and also your pets:
w Map out trick-or-treating routes so adults know where you're headed. And go in groups, accompanied by an adult is best.
w Don't enter a house or car without a parent's permission, even if you know the person. Only visit homes where the porch light is turned on.
w Use face paint instead of masks for better visibility of possible hazards.
w Use flashlights. Wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark. And put reflective tape on bikes, brooms and even on the edges of capes.
w Use sidewalks rather than walking in the street. Don't cross in the middle of blocks or between cars. And watch for traffic when crossing.
w Buy only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that will not easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame.
w Use a glow stick instead of a candle so jack-o'-lanterns don't start fires or burn fingers.
w Be careful around strange animals, especially dogs.
w Make sure treats are inspected by an adult before you eat them. And hard candy can be a choking hazard for young children.
w Teach kids to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. And show children how to Stop, Drop and Roll if their clothes do catch fire.
w Keep dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper and other flammable decorations far from all flames and heat sources.
w Keep exits clear of decorations to ensure nothing blocks escape routes.
w Keep pets inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. Put them in another room with a TV or radio on.
w Don't give treats to pets. Chocolate in all forms -- especially dark or baking chocolate -- can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. And candy containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages.
w Don't take dogs with you trick-or-treating. They could get scared or be difficult to handle.
w Cat owners, especially those with black or white cats, should be extra careful. Black and white cats are often the target of cruelty around Halloween.
w Make sure all pets have their tags on in case they get lost.
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