Halloween safety guidelines for your littlest goblins
By Guy Chapman – Navarro County Gazette
With Halloween having more returned to normal this year, “The Great Candy Hunt of 2021” is set to take place in just a few hours. With kids of all ages (we see you eyeing those “Fun Size” bars, parents) set to roam the streets this spooky eve, here are a few safety tips to keep everyone safe while having fun.
- It’s best to stay in familiar neighborhoods. Whether it’s your own block or a regular walking route, stay in areas that are already known, and well lit.
- When trick or treating, stay in groups. Smaller kids should be accompanied by an adult.
- Parents should examine their kid’s candy before eating any of their sugar hoard.
- Children should never go into a stranger’s house, even when invited.
- Costumes should be brightly colored so they can easily be seen by oncoming cars.
- Stay on sidewalks. Stay out of the streets.
- When walking, trick or treaters should travel on the left side of the street facing traffic and off of pavement areas where there is no sidewalk.
- Look both ways before crossing any street, and only cross the street at the corner.
- When wearing a mask, make sure the visibility of the eye holes does not impair the ability to see curbs, cars, or other obstacles.
- Children should not carry lit candles or wear costumes that are at risk of being flammable. Glow sticks are cheap, easy to activate, and come in a variety of colors.
While Halloween is a fun outing for humans, it’s not always a good time for pets. Here are a few safety tips in considering the well being and safety of our four-legged friends.
- Keep your pet secured in a room or area that is safe and quiet. Loud doorbells and noisy kids can upset or scare pets and cause them to run out of open doors.
- Don’t let your pets remain outside unattended. More than any time of year, dogs and cats (especially black cats) are at risk of becoming targets of pranks and abuse.
- Halloween candy is for kids. Treats containing chocolate or xylitol are poisonous to dogs and cats.
- Throw away empty candy wrappers, glow sticks, and party favors when done. Dogs and cats can chew on these items, and cause stomachaches or blockage. No one (especially your pet) wants to deal with an extra vet bill.
- Keep electrical plugs connected to Halloween lights and inflatables out of the reach of animals. Dogs and cats can be tangled up by multiple and unsecured cords, and become injured or electrocuted.
We’ll see you tonight! It’s set to be a clear evening, so enjoy the weather as you haunt!
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