Jeff Merrick, JD, LLM
Attorney at Law
Pediatric Law Firm
Helping injured children and their families.
1-800-970-5327
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Halloween Trick or Treat Tips.
Is there any more fun for a child than dressing up and getting free candy? And what great photo opportunities for parents! Here are some tips to make sure the night ends as joyfully as it begins.
Flame Resistant Costumes: When buying a costume, masks, beards and wigs, look for a label saying “Flame Resistant.” Although this does not mean that items won’t catch fire, it does indicate that the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Costume designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
- 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 be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape usually is available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
- Children should carry flashlights for visibility AND fun.
- Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping or falling.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother’s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
- Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes.
- Apply a natural mask of cosmetics instead of using a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is worn, however, make sure it fits securely and has eye hole large enough to allow full vision.
- Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material
Pedestrian safety: Parents or adults should accompany young children. Children should walk, not run, from house to house. (I know, kids will not remember this caution, but say it anyway.)
Choosing safe houses: Children should go only to homes where residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
- Children should not enter homes or apartments. This is one area where parents really ought to scare their children into obeying, for obvious reasons.
- People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle or tripping hazard. They should keep candlelight jack-o’-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations and other furnishings that could be ignited.