Halloween is fast approaching. Let’s all do our best to keep safety as our top priority, and to educate ourselves and our children on the safety precautions everyone should be taking.
In addition to protecting children from accidents, remind kids of stranger danger on Halloween. Teach children to visit only well-lit homes, to avoid dark streets, and to not enter homes that aren’t their own.
Kids should show all their loot to parents before eating any of it. Homemade treats from people they don’t know shouldn’t be eaten.
SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK OR TREATING
• Always accompany young children.
• Exercise great caution during the scariest hours: between 5 and 9 p.m. Studies show that the hour between 6 and 7 p.m. is especially dangerous for pedestrian accidents.
• Stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks. If you must walk on the street, keep to the far left, facing traffic.
• Practice safe crossing procedures: Use crosswalks; wait for corners; and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Stick reflective tape onto costumes to make your child more visible. Also have him or her carry a flashlight.
• Make sure costumes and shoes are the correct size to prevent tripping. Use face paint if possible and leave the masks at home — they can obstruct vision.
• If an older child is venturing out without supervision, ask that he or she go with a group, discuss the route, and agree on a curfew. Give older kids cell phones so they can stay in touch.
HALLOWEEN DRIVING SAFETY TIPS
• Be alert for children and eliminate in-car distractions, including your cell phone.
• Drive slowly.
• Practice extra caution at intersections and corners.
• Pull in and out of driveways carefully.
• Discuss these and other driving pointers with your teen driver. Drivers ages 15 to 25 were involved in around one-third of fatal crashes involving child pedestrians on Halloween.
• If you encounter an impaired driver, be sure to report the driver to authorities.
HALLOWEEN DECORATING SAFETY TIPS
• Keep your home brightly lit indoors and outside. Check the lighting for your front entryway or porch and replace any damaged bulbs that may have burned out.
• Remove or highlight potential tripping hazards, such as electrical cords. Clear debris and other obstacles from your lawn, sidewalks and steps.
• Avoid open flames. Opt for battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns or other areas where costumed trick-or-treaters might stand.
• Be sure that the extension cords you use outside are rated for outdoor use. Also, don’t overload extension cords. Your cord should be the correct amps for what you’re plugging into it.
• Keep pets kenneled or in another room.
While your homeowner’s insurance policy provides some liability coverage, additional liability insurance may protect against costly legal fees that could result if an accident occurs on your property.
Talk to me, State Farm® agent Matt Watson, to see if a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy is right for you. I can be reached at (480) 830-7283.