Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween Just Around The Corner Its Time To Freshen Up On Halloween Safety Tips!

Halloween can be a fun and joyful time for children and adults alike.  With Halloween just around the corner please take a minute and freshen up on some Halloween safety tips.  Make this Halloween safe and filled with joy.

Walking Safety

• Always trick or treat with an adult.  Especially for children under the age of 12.  If your child is 12 or older and you feel they are mature enough to go without an adult, make sure they are familiar with the area.  Have them trick or treat in groups, define a travel route prior to them leaving and have a set return home curfew.  Have them carry a cellphone if possible.
• Only cross the streets at the corners, use traffic signals and crosswalks when available.  Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, avoid running especially while crossing the street.
• Avoid a mask when possible.  Halloween mask can restrict vision or obstruct your child’s visions.  Try to use face paints versus a mask when possible.  Avoid anything that may restrict vision or movement and cause your child to trip or fall.
• Costumes can often be dark and hard for drivers to see.  Give your child a flashlight or Halloween safety light.  Be sure it has fresh batteries in it and is turned on before dusk.  Decorate your costume and bag with reflective tape.  Many new tapes can appear dark to the eye unless a light hits them, so this shouldn’t effect the costumes appearance.  Regardless safety should always be put before appearance.

Driving Safety

• Drive extra slow during trick or treat times.  Do NOT use electronic devices while driving.  Be sure nothing is restricting your view and never wear a mask while driving and eliminate any possible distractions.
• Take additional time to look before crossing intersections.  Walk around your vehicle before backing up.  Enter and exit driveways and alleyways with extra caution.
• Turn your headlights on extra early so you can spot children at greater distances.  Be sure your headlights and taillights are free from dirt.  Take time to clean your windows both on the inside and outside prior to leaving.

Halloween Home Safety

• Do not use decorative lighting without inspecting prior.  Through away any decorations with frayed or damaged cords.  Do not repair them!  Avoid using extension cords.  If an extension cord is necessary, be sure it is heavy enough.  Use only #12 gauge or #14 gauge cords.
• If using lighted decorations outside be sure they are UL listed to be outdoors.  Only use cords that are UL listed, the appropriate size, and rated for the appropriate application!
• Avoid using cord splitters.  If you must use a cord splitter such as a 3 or 4 way.  Be sure its UL listed for the application and has built in overload protection.
• Do NOT use candles!  Candles can be extremely dangerous.  A ton of authentic looking battery or plug in type candles are now available on the market and can even be hard to tell them apart from the real ones!
• You can find out more about holiday lighting

Enjoy A Safe Halloween!

All of us at Custom Electrical Services hope your Iowa neighborhood trick or treating is safe and fun!  Remember to freshen up on safety tips just before heading out.  Take time to talk with your children and review safety tips and inspect costumes.