Olivia Malick,
Rebecca Nelson/Getty Images
Halloween is known for being the scariest night of the year, but it doesn’t have to be the most dangerous.
The American Red Cross is reminding community members to be cautious before the festivities begin Monday.
“Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the U.S. and with most communities returning to normal activities this school year, people should expect a higher volume of visitors in search of tricks and treats,” said Texas Gulf Coast Region, Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Vanessa Valdez in a news release. “Whether you’re handing out goodies or going door-to-door, with just a few simple considerations you can make sure your family and those around you are safe and sound.”
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Here are some safety tips the American Red Cross encourages people to keep in mind as the Halloween celebrations begin:
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Here are some safety tips the American Red Cross encourages people to keep in mind as the Halloween celebrations begin:
- Keep your trick-or-treaters in sight. Give children a flashlight, and consider adding reflective tape to their costumes. Trick-or-treat bags increase their visibility after the sun goes down.
- Plan a trick-or-treat route in advance, and make sure adults know where their children are going. A parent, guardian or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door.
- Be mindful of animals, particularly dogs.
- Walk on sidewalks where possible and avoid running. Always look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cross between parked cars.
- Only visit homes with a porch light on and never go inside.
- Bring hand sanitizer to use after touching objects or other people and wash your hands when you get home.
- Parents should get their trick-or-treater’s bags before they dig in to remove loose candy, open packages, choking hazards and any items with brand names that are unfamiliar.
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For those welcoming trick-or-treaters to their home, here are some safety tips to follow:
- If possible, give out treats outdoors.
- Set up an area with individually bagged treats for kids to take, and make sure to wash your hands before handling treats.
- Light the area well so visitors can see.
- Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps and clear your porch or front yard of obstacles that could be tripped over.
olivia.malick@hearst.com
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