How to Stay Safe from Halloween Hazards

Halloween is a time for donning costumes, wearing masks or ghoulish makeup, and going trick-or-treating. While it is a most festive time for youngsters, dangers may be lurking in their costumes, their loot, or even your home décor. Many injuries can be caused by costume malfunctions and food poisoning. Road accidents may also happen. Heed caution during this season to ensure a truly fun-tastic Halloween.

 

Costume Safety: Beware what they wear

 “There are a lot of do-it-yourself costume ideas on the Internet,” says Pauline Cauton, M.D., a physician and mom to Joaquin, 4, and Reese, 1. Her medical profession hardly gives her time for frivolities, but she never fails to let her kids celebrate Halloween with flair. “Sometimes, we go with the trend—characters Joaquin likes. He has to be comfortable in his costume so he won’t be in a sour mood.” Having a custom-made outfit sets her kids apart from the rest of the bunch. Joaquin won best costume one Halloween for this The Last Airbender Aang outfit complete with a shaven head.

Full-time mom Ria Lopez lets her kids, Lana, 10, and Enzo, 5, don hand-me-down costumes from their cousins. “They’re made of good material and look great. The best part is they’re free!” she exclaims, referring to Enzo’s Buzz Lightyear getup, which also bagged the best in costume award. “I pack extra clothes and footwear, so the kids can change once they start to feel uneasy in their costumes. I also bring water bottles so they stay hydrated,” she adds.

For merchandise manager Karina Vera, mom to Solenne, 7, and Lucas, 5, it’s all about ease. “Comfort is very important when wearing costumes, especially for younger kids. I just dig through their closets and create an ensemble from their existing garments and accessories. It’s more creative and fun that way.”

Whether you have costumes custom-made like Pauline, opt for ready-to-wear like Ria, or rummage through your tot’s closet like Karina, you must always consider costume safety. Choose flame-retardant fabrics such as nylon or polyester. Make sure the clothes and shoes fit your child properly. Check that they aren’t too loose or too long to avoid entanglements, trips, and falls. 
Provide your tot with safe accessories, especially when it comes to swords, spears, or axes. Secure his head gear firmly so it doesn’t fall over his eyes. It’s better to use non-toxic face paint than a mask which may obstruct breathing and vision.

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Décor Safety: Spook n’ span

 Go ahead, deck your house with spooky stuff with Halloween—as long as it doesn’t pose any danger to children who come to your doorstep for treats. If you’re installing light strands outdoors, buy those that have been lab-tested and have the safety seal (such as the ICC mark). Check for broken sockets, busted light bulbs, exposed or frayed wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. Don’t overload extension cords as this can cause fire.

If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, clear your front steps and porches of any obstacles and sharp objects. Don’t leave burning candles unattended or within a child’s and other combustibles’ reach, as they may catch fire. Pauline shares her Halloween decorating style: “I use store-bought décor—a fake spider here, a flameless jack o’ lantern there. No candles—and nothing too scary.” Ria and Karina skip decorating altogether. “Since we live in a condo, the only decorating I can do is to hang some spooky cutouts on our door,” says Ria.

 

Road Safety: Street smarts

 Even if it is within a gated community, you can’t let your child go out on the streets without safety precaution—vehicles are bound to pull out of driveways and around corners. “Joaquin gets to go out only if he has a trustworthy and alert adult companion,” explains Pauline. Ria adds, “If I can’t personally accompany my children, I check up on them by calling or texting. I also remind the yayas to stay close to their wards, and to never let them stray or out of their sight.”

Moms, remind your kids and their guardians to always stay on the sidewalk and to watch for oncoming vehicles before crossing the street. If they’d be out until dusk, provide them with glow sticks, flashlights, and reflectors, so they could be seen by motorists. Line your children’s costumes with reflective tape, available in most hardware stores.

Karina prefers Halloween activities held indoors. “They’re more controlled. Luckily, trick-or-treating is no longer restricted to the streets. Kids now have other options to enjoy Halloween. Shopping malls, hotels, and some offices arrange special events during Halloween just for the kids.

Christine Añonuevo, property administrator of First Oceanic Property Management, Inc. organizes events in the condominium where Ria’s family lives. “We brief the building administration, security, utility, and housekeeping staff before the event. This ensure the safety of the participants. We make sure elevators, hallways, and fire exits are clean and free from obstructions.” She also advises all those who will be giving out treats, “to keep their pets away to prevent any untoward incidents such as kids getting bitten or frightened.”

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Food Safety: Candy cop

 Children collect a lot of sweets after trick-or-treat. If you plan to keep most of their loot for later, know that candies and chocolates have a shelf life. To avoid storing them for later consumption, Pauline teaches her son the act of sharing. “After pooling all the treats, I encourage Joaquin to share them with the rest of the household so he doesn’t end up eating more that I’d want him to.”
Moms Ria and Karina, on the other hand, get first dibs on the loot bag and inspect its contents. “I sort through the goodies before letting my kids eat them,” says Ria. Karina agrees, “I filter the treats and leave only the ones that are safe to consume.”

Parents, do candy cop duty. Inspect the loot. Signs that chocolate candy has expired are a grainy, mouldy, or sticky texture; an odd taste; and a change in color. If you suspect that the sweets are no longer fit for consumption, discard them along with other unwrapped candies and tampered beverages.
Also, check the brand and manufacturer on the packaging. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently discovered that a toxic chemical used in making plastic was found in some juice drinks and fruit jams made in Canada, China, and Singapore. FDA Deputy Director Nazarita Tacandong informs consumers, “These products contain Di2 (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP. If taken in high doses, DEHP can cause future fertility and kidney problems in children.”

If you’re the one giving treats, Añonuevo advises, “Make sure the food and beverage you serve are hygienically prepared and the treats you hand out aren’t spoiled.”

 

People Safety: Hunting House

 Before you let your child go knocking on another’s door for treats, assess the settting. If the outside lights are turned on and the gate is open, these are welcoming signs. Children should not enter homes unless they are accompanied by an adult. “We go only to houses that are decorated, or we join a group of kids doing the rounds in the neighborhood. It’s spearheaded by the homeowners association, and they assign someone to lead the kids in trick-or-treating,” Karina states.

“It’s always safer to go in groups and only in well-lit areas,” Pauline adds. Besides, it’s also more fun going door-to-door in troops. If you are covering a huge area, Pauline advises carpooling with your kids’ friends. “If the village is quite large, bringing a car for the long stretches helps kids conserve their energy.”

Ria has no qualms about their condo’s annual Halloween events: “The Halloween activity in our condo is planned well ahead of time.” Añonuevo explains, “This is because we sent out a memo in advance informing residents to register their condo unit and kids if they plan to participate in the activities.” Then, we post the program on the condo’s common areas. The logistical details are mapped out by the building personnel on duty that day. Marshals are visible throughout the event to supervise and secure covered areas. Children are divided into groups and assisted by the staff during trick-or-treat, so everything is in order.  

 

Photo by vdrg dansschool via flickr creative commons