 |
CDC Halloween Health and Safety Tips |
|
For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
Going trick-or-treating?
|
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. |
|
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. |
|
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. |
|
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. |
|
|
|
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. |
|
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation. |
|
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. |
|
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. |
|
Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. |
|
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. |
|
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well. |
|
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside. |
|
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
|
Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?
- Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
- Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
- Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
- Keep candle-lit jack-o?-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
- Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.
Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!
SUPPLIED by the CDC
|
|
Dear Resident,
As we near the weekend of October 30-31st, I am asking your help in dealing with the problems that have beset the village in the past several Halloweens.
What was once a special holiday meant for little children marked by the spirit of giving, has more often than not become a day filled with egg throwing and criminal mischief.
The police department responded to dozens of calls last year where houses and vehicles were damaged by youths throwing hundreds of eggs. One youth was responsible for buying and distributing over fifty dozen eggs!
I am asking that every parent consider setting a voluntary 9pm curfew for your child, and make sure that they understand that egg throwing and vandalizing property will not be tolerated. This year Halloween occurs on a Sunday (school) night, and there is no reason for large groups of kids to be wandering the street after that time.
Parents should also be aware that the police will be arresting anyone caught throwing eggs or damaging property. Additionally, anyone found to be in possession of eggs runs the risk of being brought to Police Headquarters and held until a
parent responds to pick them up.
Although no homeowner or car owner should be faced with the task of cleaning up thrown eggs, more importantly my fear is that an errant throw of just one egg that strikes a child in the eye could do irreparable damage.
Please work with us this year and make sure that we do not have the difficulties that have been escalating in recent years. Please spread the message that Halloween does not give special privilege to break the law. Together we can make sure that everyone has a safe and fun-filled evening.
David M. Bloomer
Chief of Police
| |
