Help Kids Be Safe for Halloween
The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana Departments of Child Services and Homeland Security suggests a few tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Any time a child is involved in some kind of accident, it’s tragic. Having a child get hurt any day of the year is horrible but the last thing parents want is for their child to be hurt on a holiday, like Halloween. It might forever live in the minds of the child and family, possibly ruining that special time of year.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, children ages 10-14 are most susceptible to injuries around Halloween, with 29 percent of all Halloween injuries occurring to that age group.

“With many injuries involving broken bones or lacerations, parents must be vigilant to ensure their children remain safe while enjoying the holiday festivities,” said Erin Shidler, director of the Kosciusko County office of the Indiana Department of Child Services. “Two important safety checks include making certain a costume doesn’t obstruct a child’s vision, which can lead to falls, and be sure small children do not use sharp carving tools on pumpkins.”

See and Be Seen

• For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
• To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
• Teach children to never assume they are seen by a vehicle. Small children may be especially difficult to spot in the dark.
• Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street.

Costumes

• When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, make sure the label says “flame resistant.” While this doesn’t ensure these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
• Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
• Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pumpkin Carving

• Small children should never carve pumpkins.
• Children can draw a face with markers.  Then an adult can do the cutting.
• Older children should be allowed to use knives only with adult supervision.

Safe Homes

• People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches.
• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps to avoid slips.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Trick-or-Treating

• Due to the number of children out on the street on Halloween evening, motorists should be especially careful driving along city streets, especially in neighborhoods, during designated trick-or-treat hours.

• Trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks instead of the street whenever possible and always cross at crosswalks.

• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child.

• Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends and carry a cell phone for quick communication.

• Children and their parents should be cautioned about accepting unwrapped treats.

For more information about haunted house, trick-or-treat or Fall safety, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.