Halloween Safety Tips Brought 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 has become 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 costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material

Houses to Trick-or-Treat An ADULT should always accompany children Don’t talk to strangers Children should go only to homes where the residents are known Only visit houses with outside lights ON Never, ever go inside to collect candy

Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters Move Halloween decorations from the walkway Make sure to have lights ON Place 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 present Walk on the side-walk – never in the street! Go in the late afternoon or at night – avoid sunset

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 holidayactivities/a/halloweensafety. htm holidayactivities/a/halloweensafety. htm Images from Google Image Search and Microsoft ClipArt Gallery