| Halloween Safety in our Community
Halloween is a magical time for children, and
it’s also a time when parents and police officers are especially concerned for the
children’s safety. Most people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats.
However, roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 years are killed while walking on
Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year, and falls are the leading
cause of injuries among children on Halloween. There is no real "trick" to
making Halloween a real treat for the entire family.
Many Halloween – related injuries can be prevented if
parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities,
furthermore both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of
make-believe.
The Norwalk Police Department strongly urges motorists
to be especially alert on Halloween
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in
dark clothing.
- Obey the posted speed limits and when in doubt…SLOW
DOWN!
Before children start out on their "trick or
treat" rounds, parents should
- Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be
supervising the outing for children under age 12.
- Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to
follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and
along an established route.
- Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment
buildings that are well lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
- Establish a return time.
- Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return
home.
- Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions,
including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
- Pin a slip of paper with the child's name; address and phone
number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Costume Design
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Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn
underneath.
Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping
hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be
made with light colored materials. Strips of retro reflective tape should be used to make
children visible.
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Face Design
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Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up
instead.
When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages
containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color
Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for
Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for
application.
If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings
and large eyeholes.
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Accessories
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Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from
cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored
or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be
seen more clearly.
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On the way
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Children should understand and follow these rules:
Do not enter homes or apartments of strangers without your
parents or other adult supervision.
Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards
and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. Do not use alleyways
or isolated wooded paths.
Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there
are no sidewalks. Stay in well-lighted areas.
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Treats
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To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged
to:
Give children an early meal before going out.
Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before
anything is eaten.
Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Call the National Candy Hot-Line 1-800-222-1222 if you are
suspicious of candy tampering or a poisoning issue.
|
Chief of
Police Harry W. Rilling cordially invites all the children from the Norwalk community to
visit the Norwalk Police Department’s Community Room on Halloween evening between
4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Candy and glow necklaces will be handed out to the children. Parents
can also pick up printed safety tips and police officers will be ready to answer questions
on Halloween safety. |
