Governor O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien Remind Marylanders of Importance of Halloween Safety
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 30, 2029) – As children put together their costumes and prepare to canvass their neighborhoods dressed as police and firemen in search of treats, Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien remind parents of some basic Halloween safety tips.
“We all agree Halloween is fun for children,” Governor and Mrs. O’Brien said. “We also need to remember to take certain measures and precautions to make sure children are protected from injury and harm.”
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed, and many more injured, while walking on Halloween evening compared to other evenings of the year. Many parents overestimate children’s street-crossing skills. For example, young children may lack the physical ability to cross a street quickly, and their small size limits visibility to drivers. Most Halloween-related injuries can be prevented by following some basic guidelines.
Halloween Safety Tips:
Parents can help prevent children from getting injured at Halloween by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council.
Children should --
* Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.
* Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.
* Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls.
* Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.
* Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
* Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking in neighborhoods, they should --
* Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
* Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.
* Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
* Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
* Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision.)
* Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.
* Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).
* Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
Parents and adults should --
* Supervise the outing for children under age 12.
* Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.
* Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.
* Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
* Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.
Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters --
* Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.
* Drive slowly.
* Watch for children in the street and on medians.
* Exit driveways and alleyways carefully.
* Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side.
And a few tips about pumpkins --
* Carve pumpkins on stable, flat surfaces with good lighting.
* Have children draw a face on the outside of the pumpkin, then parents should do the cutting.
* Place lighted pumpkins away from curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave lighted pumpkins unattended.