By Guy Chapman – Navarro County Gazette
Halloween 2022 is finally here, and that means there are plenty of parties, community events, and trick or treating for kids of all ages. While this is a fun time of year, it’s important to stay safe during your nightly activities. For those on the candy hunt tonight, here are a few pro tips to make sure tonight is safe for everyone involved.
- 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. Don’t run through yards to prevent tripping over Halloween decoration setups.
- 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. Phone flashlights work just as well.
While Halloween is fun for humans, it’s not always as enjoyable for our furry family members. Here are a few safety tips in considering the well being and safety of pets.
- 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.
Happy Halloween from your friends at the Navarro County Gazette!
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