(MIAMI, Oct. 29, 2019) – Halloween is a fun time of year for both kids and adults. Although Halloween is commonly associated with costumes, candy and autumnal symbols such us scarecrows, falling leaves and pumpkins, this fun celebration can also pose some scary dangerous hazards to those trick-or-treaters not taking the appropriate safety precautions.
To help ensure a safe, fun-filled and spook-tacular Halloween, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) is encouraging all residents to consider the following safety tips while trick-or-treating:
- Make sure that children are always accompanied by an adult: There's no substitute for direct and constant safety supervision.
- Plan your trick-or-treating so that your route is completed before dark.
- If you must trick-or-treat after dark, help assure that everyone can be seen by using flashlights or glow sticks.
- Never use candles or lanterns with open flames.
- Be traffic alert: Stay on sidewalks, walk facing traffic and cross streets only at intersections.
- If you are driving Halloween night, be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters. Use extreme caution and drive slowly.
- Trick-or-treat in a group and stay together: Only approach houses that have outside lights on. Be alert of your surroundings and trick-or-treat in familiar, well-lit areas.
- Make sure that everyone can easily be seen in low light: Apply stripes of reflective tape across the front and the back of children's costumes and adults' clothing, and wear costumes that are brightly colored.
- Costumes should be completely flame-retardant: This includes wigs, beards and capes.
- Safety first: Avoid masks that restrict a child's view or make it difficult to breathe.
- Make sure that costumes fit properly: Loose or long costumes may cause children to trip over or catch on things such as bushes and fences.
- Do not allow children to carry any sharp objects: Use props that are pliable and soft in order to avoid injury.
- Make sure that trick-or-treaters always have one hand free so they can catch themselves if they fall. Use treat bags that can be carried over one shoulder instead of in both hands.
- Children should never eat any treats until an adult has inspected all the candy: Throw away any homemade treats or anything that's not in a sealed wrapper.
- For a much safer alternative, consider taking children to a Halloween party or attend a well-planned, local event instead of trick-or-treating door-to-door.
Visit our website for additional Halloween safety tips.
For more information, please contact MDFR’s Media and Public Relations Bureau at (305) 814-8051.
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