Halloween Safety Reminders for You and Your Children

Halloween can be a fun event for children and adults alike. However, amidst all of the excitement, children in particular may become distracted and less careful than they would otherwise be. While there’s no special trick that you can perform to keep everyone out of harm’s way, there are some steps you can take that will help immensely in that regard. For instance, by following some basic safety guidelines, and incorporating a bit of common sense, you can keep everyone safe and happy throughout this spook-tacular season.

Here are some general Halloween safety tips (some of which can be applied to everyday life as well):

• Supervision – While trick or treating, children younger than 12 should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Teens should travel in groups, carry a phone, stay in familiar and well-lit areas, and return home by an agreed-upon time.
• Strangers – No one should ever go inside a stranger’s house or get into an unfamiliar car. Only approach homes that have outside lights on.
• Traffic – Before crossing a street, look both ways, then continue watching for traffic while walking across (don’t run). Cross streets at corners – never dart between parked cars – and use crosswalks and obey traffic signals when available. If a vehicle stops to let you to cross, make eye contact with the driver and be sure that he or she sees you before you walk in front of the car.
• Walking – Stay on sidewalks and paths if available; if there are none, walk on the side of the road that faces the oncoming traffic. Kids are encouraged to carry phones for emergencies, but they should not use any electronic devices while walking.
• Visibility – Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers. Light-colored costumes are more visible than dark colors, and it’s best to substitute face paint or makeup for potentially vision-obstructing masks. For enhanced visibility, children can carry flashlights or glow sticks.
• Costumes – To avoid accidents like tripping over a long dress or cape, make sure that all clothing fits properly.
• Treats – No candy or food items should be eaten until they are brought home and examined by an adult. Any items that are unwrapped or appear to have been opened should be discarded.

At South Tampa Immediate Care, we want you and your family to have a safe, enjoyable, and injury-free Halloween. If you have any questions or would like to see a doctor, feel free to contact us, or stop by our walk-in clinic on South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL.