The following is from the American Red Cross New Jersey Region.
Halloween is coming and pretty soon the streets will be filled with tiny ghosts and goblins, super heroes and princesses. Even vampires and witches need to know how to celebrate safely and the American Red Cross has steps people can follow to have a safe Halloween.
“We want everyone to enjoy this fun-filled night,” said Paul Gass, Regional Preparedness Manager, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “The kids are excited, but first parents need to make sure their kids know what to do in order to have fun and stay safe.”
COSTUME SAFETY
Whether the little one wants to be a ghost, a princess or a superhero, parents can help keep them safe by following some costume advice:
- Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
- Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.
- Use flame-resistant costumes.
- Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.
SAFE TRICK-OR-TREATING
To maximize safety, plan the route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they make their way around the neighborhood.
Other safety tips to follow include:
- Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight to see where they are going and be seen by drivers.
- Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
- Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
- Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
- Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
- It’s not only vampires and monsters people have to look out for. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
WELCOMING THE KIDS
If someone is manning the candy giveaway at their house, they can make sure it’s a fun night for all by doing the following:
- Make sure the outdoor lights are
- Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
- Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
- Restrain the pets.
- Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.
- Use extra caution if driving. The youngsters are excited and may forget to look both ways before crossing
FIRST AID APP
Download the free Red Cross First Aid App. Users receive instant access to expert advice for everyday emergencies whenever and wherever they need it. Use the Emergency App for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About the American Red Cross in New Jersey
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 8.8 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 5,800 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey, last year, the Red Cross responded to 889 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping 1,820 displaced families; collected 88,439 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided 3,920 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 117,088 individuals with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossNorthNJ and @RedCrossSouthNJ.
