With Halloween fast approaching, Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield today issued a list of precautions for parents aimed at ensuring that trick-or-treating is a safe for their children.
The precautions range from making sure children do not eat treats, which could result in illness, to avoiding potential accidents while walking the neighborhood after dark.
“We urge motorists and trick-or-treaters to exercise caution,” said Sheriff Jean Stanfield, who chairs the county’s Traffic Safety Task Force. “We encourage trick-or-treating in groups, visiting only familiar homes, and carrying flashlights.”
To help families stay safe this Halloween, Sheriff Stanfield has 2500 glow bracelets that she is distributing with the help of the county libraries. Glow bracelets are available at the County Libraries on a first come first serve basis.
“According to experts, child pedestrian deaths significantly increase on Halloween, which is all-the-more reason to be particularly alert on this occasion,” she added, “Nearly one-fourth of traffic accidents on Halloween occur between 6 and 7 p.m., with over 60 percent of the accidents occurring in the four hour period between 5 and 9 p.m. A majority of these accidents involve children under the age of 15 and occur away from an intersection or crosswalk.”
Children should also make sure parents know the route they plan to take, that they should never go into a home, and should never give their full name and address to those they encounter.
Sheriff Stanfield provided some additional precautions and tips, including:
An adult should examine Halloween treats before children eat them. Children should never eat open or unwrapped Halloween foods.
Costumes should be flame-retardant and allow children to walk freely without tripping. Children’s ability to see and hear should not be restricted by unwieldy masks. Tie hats, scarves, belts, etc. securely. Accessories (swords, pitchforks, etc.) should be made of flexible material. Encourage wearing of comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Attach reflective tape or material to costumes.
Make certain that any face paint or make-up used on skin or costumes is non-toxic.
Make sure your property is safe: Remove obstacles from steps, porches, lawns, driveways and walkways on which trick-or-treaters could trip and fall. Provide adequate outdoor lighting. Refrain from having lit candles near areas where trick-or treaters might be and take precautions with candles indoors, keeping away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles, and never leave unattended.
In addition, said Sheriff Stanfield, the NJ Poison Information and Education System reminds parents, grandparents and other child care providers that poisonings often occur when children mistake pills for candy. If a parent believes a Halloween treat may have been poisoned, or has been eaten and tastes funny or a child feels sick, he or she should call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1–800–222–1222. Local police should also be contacted.
