It will be cold in the Wichita area on Halloween night. Besides bundling up, the American Red Cross has some safety tips parents can follow to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities.
Trick-or-treaters need to see and be seen. Face makeup is preferable to masks which can make seeing difficult. Also, give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way. To help with the children's visibility, add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door. Remember to be cautious around animals, including pets.
Trick or treaters... walk, don’t run. Walk only on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. Don’t cross between parked cars, and don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Drivers — use extra caution as youngsters may forget to look both ways before crossing.
Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door and never go inside. A grown-up should check all goodies before eating. Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and remove any choking hazards. Discard any items without brand names or with brand names that you are not familiar with.
For those planning to welcome trick-or-treaters, light the area well so young visitors can see. Clear the porch and front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.
Download the free American Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to first aid advice for common emergencies. Simple step-by-step tips and videos make learning easy and engaging. Find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.