Home

Member IAFF Locals

Association Address & Executive Board Members

Events Calendar

Special Events

Links

Fire Prevention/Fire Safety

Fire Safety Quiz

Executive Board Only! (login required)

For Members Only! (login required)

Training & Safety

Check E-Mail
(login required)

 


Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

It's that time again when children enjoy dressing up and roaming the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in search of some of their favorite candy. To keep your little goblins safe, just take a minute and read the following Safety Tips for Halloween...! Have a great and safe time this Halloween season. Booooo.....!!!





 

 


Trick-or-Treaters

  • Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths.
  • Use fresh flashlight batteries. Check it BEFORE you leave the house.
  • Chemical GLOW in the DARK LIGHT STICKS can be used along with flashlights.
  • Stay on the Sidewalks.
  • (If their is no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road.
  • Walk SINGLE file, facing the traffic.
  • Obey ALL local traffic signals.
  • Cross only at corners, with adults.
  • DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
  • DO NOT assume you have the right of way.
  • Because one car stops, doesn't mean others will...!
  • Trick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods.
  • DO NOT cut across strangers yards or driveways.
  • Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
  • Set the watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
  • Make sure your costumes don't drag on the ground.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes, and they should fit properly.
  • Make sure your shoe laces are tighted tight. You can trip...!!!
  • Avoid wearing your mask while walking from house to house.
  • Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
  • Avoid pointed props such as spears, or wands that endanger other children's eyes.
  • Wear clothing and costumes with reflective tape or "Glow in the Dark" markings.
  • A flashing In Sight At Night Safety Strobe Light can also be attached to children AND adult costumes. Proper SAFETY knows no age barrier...!
  • Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.
  • Always use the front door, NEVER go to the back of a house.



Parents

  • Make sure your child eats a good dinner before going out Trick-or-Treating. They need proper energy tonight...!!!
  • If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
  • Make sure you work into your child's OR adult Halloween costume, reflector strips, a FLASHING safety light or the very popular GLOW LIGHT STICKS to make everyone more visible and much safer at night. SAFETY FIRST tonight of all nights...!
  • Teach your child how call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone.
  • Bring your child for a visit to your local police or fire department.
  • Children should carry several quarters so they can call home.
  • Let them borrow the FULLY CHARGED family cell phone, with home number ready.
  • Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
  • If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
  • Set their watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating.
  • DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT allow your children to wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating.
  • Avoid streets under construction. There are holes and pits. Use common sense.
  • Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
  • Older children should trick-or-treat in groups.
  • You should know WHERE they're going and with WHO they are going with.
  • Although product tampering is rare, tell the children to bring ALL the candy home to be inspected BEFORE consuming anything.
  • Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks like tampering.
  • If you child has an ALLERGY, VERY IMPORTANT to look at the ingredients of the treats they bring home.



Homeowners

  • Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, garden hoses, dog leashes and low flower pots. These objects can trip the young trick-or-treater.
  • Be sure the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated and clear of obstacles. Double check ALL the outside lights...!!!
  • GLOW LIGHT STICKS or battery powered jack-o-lantern light are preferable to real flame candles.
  • If you do use candles, place the carved jack-o-lantern well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
  • Make sure that paper or cloth decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
  • NEVER leave any flaming candle unattended.
  • BE PREPARED. Have a FULLY CHARGED fire extinguisher handy, just in case...! BE PREPARED.
  • Pass out healthy food alternatives for visiting trick-or-treaters. Include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
  • Non-food treats: PEZ candy dispensers, small note pads, pencils, pens, stickers, erasers, coins.



Halloween Drivers

  • Drive and go slow, slow, slow all evening.
  • NO ONE should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type.
  • CAUTION: Young trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of you.
  • Obey ALL traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian.
  • Adult Halloween parties should have a designated driver.
  • If you drive a long distance, make arrangements to stay over.
 
© Copyright 2022, Greater Delaware Valley Professional Fire Fighter's Association Trust,
All Rights Reserved.