Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween

Cedar Hill Fire Department is sharing Halloween safety tips with the public. The following are a list of the tips, broken down by responsibilities of kids, parents, residents and Pet Owners.

Kids' Safety Responsibilities

  • Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  • Look left, right, and left again when crossing the street. Keep looking as you cross.
  • Don't dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  • Always walk on sidewalks. If the neighborhood has no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far left as possible.
  • Always choose well-lit streets.
  • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up out of driveways.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Enter homes only if you are with a trusted adult.
  • Never accept rides from a stranger.
  • Always walk and don't run from house to house.

Parents' Safety Responsibilities

  • Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
  • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colors.
  • Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision.
  • Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
  • When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs, and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame-resistant.
  • Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
  • Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Residents' Safety Responsibilities

  • Remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
  • Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  • Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Drivers' Safety Responsibilities

  • Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
  • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  • Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  • Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and turn your headlights on earlier in the evening to spot children from greater distances.
  • Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Pet Owner's Responsibilities

  • Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets
  • Don't leave pets out in the yard on Halloween.
  • Keep pets confined and away from the door
  • Keep your outdoor cats inside several days before and several days after Halloween