BEFORE YOU GO OUT:
1. Feed your children before taking them out to reduce the urge to snack on the route.
2. Set a time for your children to return home.
3. Take a little bag of your own candy to give your children so they won’t be tempted to eat from their bags before the treats can be checked.
4. Costumes should be nonflammable, warm and an appropriate length so the child doesn’t trip or fall.
5. Masks should fit properly and have large eyeholes so the child can see and breathe easily. Raise mask when crossing the street.
5. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing face paint or makeup. They can be a safe, creative alternative to masks. Other products may contain emollient laxatives, talc or hydrocarbons, which can cause problems.
6. If any makeup is swallowed, call the Poison Center for treatment instructions. Home food colorings are not recommended because they can tint the face and hair.
IF YOU’RE STAYING IN:
1. Consider giving non-edible treats such as stickers, pencil sharpeners, small toys, magnets, mini-erasers, shiny coins or a Polaroid of the trick-or-treaters.
WHILE YOU’RE OUT:
1. Trick-or-treat only in familiar, well-lit areas. Better yet, give or attend an indoor party.
2. Motorists please keep in mind that many children will be out and many will be kids and will disregard the necessary pedestrian safety precautions therefore, they may cross in the middle of the block or run out into the streets unexpectedly. Drive with caution in the neighborhoods and pay attention.
3. Children should be accompanied by an adult, carry a flashlight and wear flame-retardant, reflective clothing. Put reflective tape on trick or treat bags.
4. If you have small children, go out before dark.
5. Look carefully before crossing neighborhood streets. For high traffic areas, use the crosswalk. Don’t jaywalk!
6. Avoid unleashed dogs or other animals.
7. Parents should know exactly what route their children are taking.
8. Emphasize with your children, NEVER enter a stranger’s house — even if invited in.
9. Parents, do not invite trick or treaters into your home.
10. Glow sticks and necklaces are popular to help illuminate at night during Halloween. In small amounts, it is very safe. The sticks and necklaces occasionally break or children chew them open. If the contents get on the skin, it can cause irritation and a rash. If the contents come into contact with the eyes, it can cause severe irritation. Oral ingestion can cause nausea and burning. For skin and eye exposure, perform the first aid instructions on the other side of this brochure. For ingestion, call the Poison Center.
11. Dry ice can be used in punch bowls, but should not be used in individual glasses. We recommend wrapping the dry ice in cheesecloth before placing it into the bowl. If swallowed, oral burns may occur. Direct contact with the skin can cause a frostbite type injury. Wash skin immediately with lukewarm water.
AFTER YOU RETURN HOME:
1. Carefully check all candy before allowing your child to eat it.
2. Eat only those treats still in their original unopened wrappers.
3. Throw away candies if wrappers are faded, have holes or tears or signs of re-wrapping.
4. Throw away all unwrapped candy.
5. Check fruit and homemade treats for punctures or foreign bodies that may have been injected, such as pins, metal needles or razor blades. Allow your child to eat such items only if from someone you know and trust. Most treat makers are well intentioned, but it’s not worth the risk.
6. WHEN IN DOUBT… THROW IT OUT!!!
Poison
The American Association of Poison Control Centers discourages depending on x-rays to determine the safety of treats. They may contribute to a false sense of security, as they do not rule out contamination and are not substitutes for careful visual examination by parents.
Inhaled Poison:
1. Immediately move the person to fresh air, if you can do so safely.
2. Avoid breathing fumes, open doors and windows.
3. If victim is not breathing, give artificial respiration. This should be done if you know how. Call 911.
Poison on the Skin:
1. Remove any contaminated clothing.
2. Flood affected area with cool water for at least 15-20 minutes.
3. Wash gently with soap and water and rinse.
4. Wash contaminated clothing separately from other laundry.
Poison in the Eye:
1. Flood the eye with lukewarm (not hot) water poured from a large glass 2 or 3 inches from the eye. Repeat for 15-20 minutes.
2. Have the person blink as much as possible while flooding the eye.
3. Do NOT force the eyelid open.
Swallowed Poison:
1. Medicines: do not give anything by mouth until calling for advice. Call the Poison Control Center at once!
2. Chemical or Household Products: unless your child has passed out or cannot swallow, give milk or water right away.
Always keep on hand at home a one-ounce bottle of SYRUP OF IPECAC for each child in the home, but DO NOT administer unless directed by the Poison Center.
3. After the emergency action and first aid, call the Poison Control Center. If you can’t reach them, call your physician, a hospital, or the emergency operator (911).
Information the Poison Center Specialist Will Need:
- AGE and WEIGHT of the person.
- WHAT was ingested? Make sure you have the bottle or container with you.
- HOW MUCH was taken. This will help the Poison Center Specialist determine the severity of the incident.
- HOW the victim is feeling or acting right now.
- Your NAME and PHONE number.
Pet Safety
1. Dogs and cats, especially black ones, should be kept indoors to protect them from the tricks and treats of the ghosts and goblins.
2.Walk the dog early on Halloween night and hold the leash firmly. Dogs don’t understand masks and can be overwhelmed by shrieking children.
3. When opening the door for trick or treaters, be very careful your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. If possible, remove the top half of your screen/storm door and pass the candy through the opening. Sometimes pets escape and get lost. Make sure your pet is wearing proper identification.
4. Some treats, especially chocolate, can be poisonous to pets. Candy wrappers, if swallowed, can block or injure the intestines.
