Halloween is tomorrow, and it looks as though the weather will not be favorable for trick or treating. Many townships have already rescheduled trick or treating for another date so check with your local office to see if you are one of the affected communities. If not, then following some safety tips is even more important. Rain and overcast conditions will make it more difficult for drivers and trick-or-treaters alike. 

Stay safe and enjoy your Halloween.

Costumes:
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• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  
  
• Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame. 
  
  
• Look for "flame resistant" on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this. 
  
  
• Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of your child's skin to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises or allergic reactions on the big day. Toxic ingredients have been found in cosmetics marketed to teens and tweens.
  
  
• Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory. Your child can easily be hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Celebrating your child's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Halloween? Always have a "Plan B" costume. From leaky diapers to spit up to toilet training accidents, this age is always reason to pack a backup costume and plan for the unexpected. If potty-training is still a new thing and there's a narrow window between "I have to go" and an accident, you might want to rethink a complicated costume. There is also no harm in putting him or her in an easy-on, easy-off diaper. 


Pumpkins:

• Never allow small children to carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting. For the best control while carving, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (AAHS) recommends adults use a small pumpkin saw (sold with other Halloween goods) in small strokes,  directing the blade away from themself and others. The AAHS advises against using larger blades, which can become lodged in the pumpkin and cause injuries when pulled out.
  
  
• Consider using a flashlight, glow stick, or battery operated candle instead of a flame candle to light your pumpkin.
  
  
• Do not place candlelit pumpkins on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.
  
  

At Home:

• Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Keep the porch and front yard clear of anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
  
  
• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  
  
• Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.
  
  
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.  Even your calm, friendly family pet may react unpredictably when confronted with an unfamiliar situation.  You are legally liable for your pet's actions regardless of the circumstances that caused that action. Best practice ... keep pets away from trick or treaters. 
  
  

Although most animals are friendly, some can be dangerous; take precautions to prevent animal bites. More than any other age group, children between the ages of 5 and 9 are the victims of animal bites―about 5% of all children this age are bitten by an animal every year. Children ages 9 to 14 are next in line as the most frequent victims of animal bites. As a parent, you have ultimate responsibility for your child's safety around any animal―including your own pets, neighborhood pets, and wild animals. 

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail:

• 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 and obtain flashlights with batteries for everyone. If Halloween doesn't start until after dark where you live and you have younger children, check your local newspaper or recreation center for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day.
  
  
• Only go to homes with a porch light on.
  
  
• Never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
  
  
• Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost or is prone to wander. 
  
  
• Know how to reduce your child's risk of a pedestrian injury―the most common injury to children on Halloween.
  • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
  • Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags. 
  • Carry a cell phone 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 of 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!
    
    

​A Message to Parents of Teen Drivers: Before you let your child drive on Halloween, take precaution and set specific rules.

Healthy Halloween:

• Give your child a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating; this will discourage filling up on Halloween treats.
  
  
• Consider offering non-edible goodies to trick-or-treaters visiting your home. Halloween is one of the trickiest days of the year for children with food allergies. Food Allergy Research & Education's Teal Pumpkin Project, which promotes safe trick-or-treating options for food-allergic children, suggests items such as glow sticks, spider rings, vampire fangs, pencils, bubbles, bouncy balls, finger puppets, whistles, bookmarks, stickers and stencils. 
  
  
• Keep an eye on what your child has in his or her mouth at all times while on the trick-or-treat trail. Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, it can happen. A responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items. Once your child is ready to enjoy treats at home, keep in mind that babies and toddlers should not have any hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies (jelly beans, etc.), gummy candy, pumpkin seeds, or anything with whole nuts. Candy wrappers, stickers, small toys, or temporary tattoos can be a choking hazard, as well. As all parents know, babies and toddlers will put just about anything into their mouths!
  
  
• Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.​ If you keep candy guidelines realistic, consistent, and positive, your Halloween is less likely to be about arguing or controlling candy. Make a plan together so everyone knows what to expect. It's also a great opportunity to teach your kids about moderation, balance, and healthful indulging.

Halloween is a celebration of all things spooky, and in the United States it's surrounded by a few odd traditions like trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving, but how much do you really know about Halloween? Turns out it's not only about who gets the most chocolate or creates the scariest costume. 

Over the centuries, the holiday has evolved from a way of begging for food to one of the most commercialized days of the entire year. Here are a few interesting facts about how some of today's practices got started as well as other fun tidbits about the unique holiday.