Halloween Safety Tips From The 72nd Precinct

The spookiest night of the year is Thursday, and if you’re planning on hitting the trick-or-treat trail with your young ghouls, the 72nd Precinct has a few safety tips to keep in mind:

ALL DRESSED UP:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.

HOME SAFE HOME:
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters.

• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

• Carry a cellphone for quick communication.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never cut across yards or use alleys.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!

• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

CARVING A NICHE:
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.

• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

EGGS & SHAVING CREAM:
• If you own a supermarket or a deli/bodega, or work or live near one, please be forewarned that if a group of teens come in to buy eggs and shaving cream either separately or at large quantity, they may not be for anything else but to be thrown at people or sprayed on people.

• The eggs can be frozen and used as a dangerous weapon.

• Please do not allow children to purchase these items without adult supervision. The 72nd Precinct has already addressed this dangerous issue with all grocery supermarkets and deli/bodegas within the confines of the precinct boundaries.

• Your additional help can assist in saving anyone from danger and trouble…IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the 72nd Precinct at 718-965-6311.

Photo via Erika Clark/5th Avenue BID