Tips For A Safe Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner, and many consumers may not realize how frightening this night could really be for their personal safety, property and bank accounts. But Trusted Choice^® independent agents can help families better prepare for Halloween hazards that may come in disguise or under the cloak of dark.

To help families and businesses protect themselves against some of the scarier risks associated with Halloween, Trusted Choice suggests agents share the following safety tips with their clients:

• Don’t be a scary driver. Drive sober, slowly and even more carefully than usual on Halloween. Watch for children who may be running or wearing dark costumes in the road.
• Stay accident-free. Remove lawn furniture or any other obstacles to avoid accidents or damage. Ensure your home’s entry is in good condition, free from loose or broken pieces on stairwells and walkways, to avoid trick-or-treater injuries on your property.

• Prevent fires. Make sure pumpkins containing candles are placed at a distance, to avoid a child’s costume igniting or a curious guest tipping it over. Extinguish all candles before going to bed, and consider using battery-operated lights wherever possible.

• Practice costume safety. Costumes can hide more than someone’s true identity, and that includes hazards. All disguises should consist of flame-resistant materials and shouldn’t be too long or contain sharp accessories. Avoid masks that may obscure vision, and stick to hypo-allergenic make-up.
• See and be seen. Encourage each trick-or-treaters and adult chaperones to carry a flashlight. Apply light-reflecting material to costumes.

• Hear and be heard. Make sure your hearing isn’t impaired with cumbersome costumes or ear buds. Be alert to the sounds of moving vehicles, other groups of pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Power in Numbers. When traveling on foot, walk on well-lit streets in groups and cross only at corners and crosswalks—never between parked cars.
• Don’t invite unwelcome guests. Property vandals often use the chaos of Halloween night to strike. Scare them away by keeping outdoor lights on.

• Keep pets inside. Warn your children to stay away from animals as they go door-to-door. Halloween can be a stressful night, even for the friendliest creature.
• Inspect candy. Cavities aren’t the only candy-related risks on Halloween. Inspect all trick-or-treat candy, remembering to never eat unwrapped items. Collect candy only from people you know and trust, and ask the local police department if it offers a candy x-ray and/or inspection service. Dispose of any suspicious candy.