Take Simple Precautions for a Night of "Fun Fright"
HARTFORD, October 25 -- While Halloween is celebrated by children of all ages as being delightfully scary, concerned parents often confront a host of unseen dangers and grim warnings in the days and weeks leading up to this night, causing them to dread Halloween’s approach. But adults need not be overly frightened for their children’s safety on Halloween, as long as some basic safety precautions are in place, according to the Department of Consumer Protection.
"We’ve all heard the horror stories of poisoned candy, which is in essence an urban legend,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said today. “Nationally, the number one cause of injury for kids on Halloween is traffic accidents, so I encourage everyone to take some extra time reviewing sidewalk safety with your trick or treaters before leaving home.”
Aside from that, Rubenstein advises parents to make sure that trick or treaters can “see and be seen," by equipping them with flashlights and reflective stickers on their costumes, and setting down the groundrules before leaving the house.
"Communication is key to making Halloween safe for everyone,” he said. “Whether you are accompanying your children or not, make sure they know in advance where they can go, how long they can be gone and with whom they can spend time. Go over it a few times in the days leading up to Halloween and remind them as they head out the door.”
Some of the reminders you might share with your trick or treaters before the big night include:
- Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate with each other on where they are going.
- Trick-or-treat only in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
- Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk; don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
- Don’t enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
- Walk, don’t run!
- Watch and listen for cars, because not all drivers can see children crossing the street.
- Bring all Halloween “loot” home to be inspected for open and unwrapped goodies, which should be discarded.
- More Halloween safety information can be found at www.ct.gov/dcp under “What’s New.”
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection enforces many safety regulations for toys and other children’s articles. Important laws include the Connecticut State Child Protection Act and the Federal Consumer Product Safety Act.