Stay Safe On Halloween

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided some practical tips to make sure trick-or-treaters have a safe and fun Halloween.

Be cautious while trick or treating:

• Avoid trick-or-treating alone and walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape on costumes and bags to help drivers see you. Use a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help others see you.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible and walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house.
• Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. 

Check candy and treats before eating:

• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats and do not eat homemade treats made by strangers.
• Limit the amount of treats you eat.

 Choose costumes carefully:

• Wear flame-resistant costumes with well-fitting masks and shoes to prevent trips and falls.
• Swords, knives and costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
• Always test make-up on a small area first and remove it before bedtime.
• Do not wear decorative contact lenses which can injure eyes.

Rockland County Health Commisioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said adults must keep tabs on children during Halloween to make sure it is a fun and safe holiday.

"Trick-or-treaters need adult supervision, even if they travel in groups,” she said. “Adults should check Halloween treats before children eat them, and make sure that children never eat open or unwrapped treats.” 

For more information about Halloween safety, call the Health Department’s Childhood Injury Prevention Program at 845- 364-3865, or visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/.