Trick-or-Treaters

• Carry a flashlight
• Walk, don’t run.
• Stay on Sidewalks
• Obey traffic signals
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods
• Don’t cut across yards or driveways.
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
• Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground.
• Shoes should fit (even if they don’t go with your costume)
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
• (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
• Approach only houses that are lit.
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.

Parents

• Make your child eats dinner before setting out.
• Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
• You should know where they’re going.
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.

Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
• Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
• Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
• Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

Drivers

• Go slow,slow,slow all evening. (Adult Halloween partiers should have a designated driver.)

Shopping Mall Safety

T’is the season of the highest crime rates especially that of theft. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself and family on your trips to the mall and or grocery store.

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• When leaving a store remember where you parked and have your keys in your hand.
• When shopping at night, have a friend or relative come along. If you are alone when leaving a store, ask the security guard to walk you to your car.
• Ladies always carry your purse tucked tightly under your arm and zipped close.
• Carry only the credit cards you will need.
• Place your money and credit cards in your front pant pocket, it’s harder for them to be stolen.

Christmas Tree Safety

• Consider an artificial tree (they are much safer and cleaner).
• A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.
• Cut 1 inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
• Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
• The stand should hold at least 1 gal. of water.
• A 6′ tree will use 1 gallon of water every two days.
• Mix a commercial preservative with the water.
• Check the water level every day.
• Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
• Keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources.
• Use only UL-approved lights, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
• Use miniature lights–which have cool-burning bulbs.
• Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.
• Never use candles, even on artificial trees.
• Clean the tree stand to improve the tree’s water intake, use one capful of bleach to a cup of water.
• Dispose of the tree properly.
• NEVER BURN A REAL TREE IN THE FIREPLACE!

Homeowner Safety

• Install a smoke detector or new batteries in the one(s) you have and TEST it.
• Use only outdoor lights outside your home.
• Examine light strings each year, discard worn ones.
• Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.
• Connect no more than three strands together.
• Never use indoor extension cords outside.
• Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.
• Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
• Unplug light string before replacing a bulb. Review the original package to verify proper wattage and voltage.
• When connecting light strands, wrap a plastic bag around connections and tie ends with teflon tape.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, use colored spot lights.
• Make sure trees hung with X-mas lights are not touching power lines.
• When using candles, place them a safe distance from combustibles.
• Place candles in sturdy containers. Remember, hot wax burns kids.
• Extinguish candles prior to going to bed.
• Dispose of fireplace ashes into a metal container until cold.
• After parties, check around and under sofa and chair cushions for smoldering cigarettes. (Provide lots of ash trays)
• Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.
• Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.

Drivers

• Go slow through mall areas.
• Don’t race from store to store.
• Drive accordingly in snowy and icy conditions.