Community Corner

What Should We Do to Keep Our Child Safe this Halloween?

Halloween falls this year on Thursday, Oct. 31. Here are some safety tips.

Halloween trick-or-treating this year falls on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The Medfield Police Department has brochures available in the station for parents who may be new to, or need a refresher on, Halloween safety. According to the pamphlet, some Halloween hazards to look out for:
1. Risky roadways: Children become careless from excitement and may run into the road. Dusk, when trick-or-treating often begins, is the time of poorest visibility for drivers.
2. Dangerous dress: Include loose costumes, bulky trick-or-treat bags and unsafe shoes, masks that reduce vision, sharp or pointed toy weapons and dark, and hard to see costumes.
3. Frightful flames: Open flames from jack-o-lanterns or candles, billowing, flammable costumes, and flowing, false-hair wigs that can catch fire.
4. Treacherous "treats": razor blades in apples, tacks in popcorn, needles or pins in candy and poisoned popcorn.

What should we do to keep our child safe this Halloween?

1. Know your child's plans. Know what route he/she will be following, know where you can find him/her quickly if necessary.
2. What companions will he/she have? They should be his age level and groups no bigger than three or four are best.
3. What supervision will he/she have? Young children should be accompanied by an adult or a responsible older child.
4. What homes will he/she visit? It's best not to call at the homes of strangers, or to go into ANY house.
5. What activities has he/she planned? Trick or treating, a party, other plans. Be sure you know.
6. What time will he/she be home? Set a reasonable time and insist that he/she keep it.

Some tips on costume safety:

1. Wigs, if used, should be non-flammable. Hairspray can often be used to create the same effect.
2. Flashlight or battery powered lantern to make the child visible and let him or her see where they are going.
3. Reflective strips on bags and costumes, patches or paint, increase visibility after dark.
4. Makeup is a much safer alternative than a mask, which can obscure vision.
5. Bag for collecting candy should be small enough so it won't cause tripping.
6. Toy weapons, should be made of cardboard so they won't injure if fallen upon.
7. Shoes, are very important. Everyday shoes are much more safe than costume shoes.
8. Have a dress rehearsal so you can see if the costume fits, and is safe enough.

Review Safety Rules for Walking:

1. Cross the street at Cross Walks.
2. Wait for proper signals to cross.
3. Look both ways before crossing.
4. Be alert for cars turning at intersections.
5. NEVER start into the road from between parked cars.
6. Stay on the sidewalk whenever you can.
7. If there is no sidewalk -- walk on the shoulder, as far as possible from road, facing traffic.

When the Child Returns Home:

1. Treats need to be inspected before anything is eaten.
2. Fruit should be cut into small pieces to make sure nothing has been placed inside.
3. Unpackaged items, such as popcorn or small candies, should be discarded.
4. Candy with opened wrappings, such as loose or torn candy bar wrappers, should be discarded.
5. IF you discover anything wrong with the treats brought home, report it to police so that other parents may be warned and the person caught.


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