Halloween Safety TipsBrought to you by: The DEP Training

Section

Halloween History

Halloween was originally a Celtic celebration to welcome in the winter season.

During this time, the Celts would open up their burial mounds allowing the spirits of their dead to walk through the village during the celebration.

Halloween History

These wandering spirits would either bring safety to the villagers during the winter (Treat) or they would usher in cold, hard times (Trick).

Modern Halloween

Now that Halloween has lost some if its more sinister connotations, it hasbecome an event based on fun and fantasy for adults and children alike.

Modern Halloween

The marketplace sees Halloween as mainly a “sales event preparation” – an event that prepares retailers and consumers for the major holidays to follow – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day.

Modern Halloween

It is also a good excuse

to dress like Batman

and eat as much candy

as you can in 24 hours!

Halloween Safety Topics

1. Treats

2. Costume Materials

3. Costume Design

4. Houses to Trick-or-Treat

5. Pedestrian Safety

Treats

Do not eat anything you receive while Trick-or-Treating until it is checked by an adult Food may be contaminated Allergies

Candy Checks Carefully check all candy received as soon as the

Trick-or-Treaters arrive home Remove all tampered, old, and “funny looking” candy Hospitals and Police Stations will check candy for

FREE Bring your own candy to eat while Trick-or-

Treating

Don’t Take Candy From This Person…

Costume Materials

FLAME RESISTANT MATERIALS!!$ 2.99 Costumes = NO!!

As a general rule, the cheaper the costume the less flame resistant it will be.

Rayon and Synthetic Costumes

Costume Design

Trim costumes with reflective tape Carry flashlights (glow sticks,

flaming skulls, light sabers, etc.) Costumes should be short enough

to prevent children from tripping and falling

Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes

Costume Design

Masks should fit! Using face paint or make-up

whenever possible is a great alternative

Swords, knives, and similar costumeaccessories shouldbe of soft and flexible material

Houses to Trick-or-Treat

An ADULT should always accompany children

Don’t talk to strangersChildren should go only to homes

where the residents are knownOnly visit houses with outside

lights ONNever, ever go inside to collect

candy

Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters

Move Halloween decorations from the walkway

Make sure to have lights ONPlace battery operated lights in

Jack-O-Lanterns to avoid fire hazard

Keep sugar free and peanut free candy on hand

Pedestrian Safety

MOST IMPORTANT!Always have an adult or guardian

presentWalk on the side-walk – never in the

street!Go in the late afternoon or at night –

avoid sunset

Pedestrian Safety

Avoid walking between parked cars While driving – WATCH FOR

CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING – they really blend in while in costume!

Can You Find the Kid? – they may blend into the decor

Resources

www.wikipedia.comhttp://babyparenting.about.com/od/

holidayactivities/a/halloweensafety.htm

www.FDLE.com Images from Google Image Search

and Microsoft ClipArt Gallery