The spookiest time of year is just around the corner. Children and adults are getting into the spirit of decorating their homes, carving pumpkins, buying large sums of candy, and, of course, creating the best Halloween costume they’ve ever come up with. When we think about Halloween we think about having one night that is filled with spooky haunted houses, costumes and candy. What we don’t think about are the safety hazards present during the entire event of Halloween. In order to stay safe this Halloween, follow these tips and tricks so you can enjoy your treats.
Be Selective with Costume Choices
Dressing up is one of the best parts of Halloween, it is the one night of the year that children and adults alike can be something or someone completely different. However, make sure you are being selective when choosing a costume. It is important that you make sure that none of your costumes garments or accessories are flammable, so try to stick to nylon or heavyweight costumes. With that being said, make sure the costume fits properly and is not too long. Tripping hazards are common with costumes, so be proactive and avoid a possible injury. Lastly, make sure yours and/or your child’s costume has visible reflective tape on the costume. This will ensure yours and your child’s safety while walking out at night trick-or-treating, motorists will acknowledge you and keep a safe distance.
It is always best to choose face make-up over a mask, especially for children. Masks can hinder the wearers eyesight and breathing, so it is best to stay away from masks altogether. When using face make-up be cautious and make sure that it is hypoallergenic. Do a spot test, especially on children, to ensure there are no sensitive or allergic reactions to the cosmetics.
Remove Hazards While Decorating Your Home
We all love decorating our homes for Halloween, so this year lets try to make it as safe and enjoyable for everyone as possible. When carving the pumpkin, don’t let children do the carving. First let them draw a design on them and have a parent or adult who is safe to carve the final design. Once the pumpkins are ready to go out, make sure that all candles that are lit are attended to at all times. If you are worried about the candles you can always use a small flashlight or battery operated candles to keep your spooky pumpkin lit. Once you have the pumpkin out, assess the perimeter of your house to ensure there are no visible wires or objects that the children could trip on. Keeping your property as safe as possible should be your number one priority this Halloween.
Be Aware While Trick-Or-Treating
This is the children’s favourite part of the entire day. Trick-or-treating allows them to gather as much candy as possible from friendly neighbours. Most parents will chaperone until they are old enough to go with a friend. At this time, make sure your children are aware of their surroundings at all times and teach them the proper safety tips, including:
- Stay in well lit areas at all times
- Only go to houses who have their lights on
- Never go inside another person’s home or vehicle
- Look both ways when crossing the street
- Keep a small first aid kit with you
- Always keep a flashlight on them, even in well lit areas
Careful Consumption
When your children are finally exhausted and home with their bags of candy, be sure to inspect each piece of candy before they consume any of it. Safety hazards to look for when inspecting the candy includes:
- Opened/ripped wrappers
- Sharp objects
- Toxic objects (needles)
- Easily wrapped candies
- Candies with nuts (allergies)
Spooky and Safe Office Halloween Parties
Halloween isn’t just a time for kids to enjoy themselves, adults need to have some fun too. Office Halloween parties are very common and a great way to get everyone in the office to get in the spooky spirit, plus its nice to get a break at the office. When organizing your office Halloween party make sure that you are following the company’s safety protocol. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when planning the office’s Halloween party:
- Inform employees that participation is completely voluntary
- Set a Halloween dress code: make sure all costumes are appropriate for the workplace (not offensive), no accessories that threaten anyone’s safety/weapons, etc.
- Remind employees of the company’s harassment policy that is set in place.
- Make sure that games are safe and appropriate for the office (refer to company policies)
- Ensure that office safety supplies and requirements are up to date
We hope you and your family stay safe this Halloween. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about safety or any of the safety services that we offer.
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About F.A.S.T. Rescue
F.A.S.T. Rescue are health and safety experts offering consulting, supplies and training solutions that help make employees safe in the workplace. We’re passionate about health and safety, offering unrivaled value and solutions with a satisfaction guarantee. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.