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Pumpkin carving is a blast, but activities should always be supervised, warns Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
Stock image.
Halloween is peeking around the corner and for many of us, it brings back cherished memories of carving pumpkins, dreaming up costumes, trying to make them and collecting pillowcases full of candy. What could be better?
As firefighters, we’ve seen the spooky side of Halloween and we’re not talking about haunted houses. We’re talking about children out on the streets at night, wearing costumes that make it hard to be seen.
We’re talking about candles used carelessly on front porches, kids carving pumpkins without adult supervision and crowds of people wandering through unfamiliar neighborhoods — at night.
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Each year, emergency personnel respond to calls involving children injured during Halloween festivities. In fact, more children are struck by vehicles on Halloween than on any other night of the year.
The good news? Halloween can be safe and fun — it just takes a little planning. Halloween safety in Southern Utah isn’t spooky, it’s smart. Make it your costume’s best accessory with these safety tips.
Home safety tips
Pumpkin carving is a blast, but activities should always be supervised. Let adults handle the cutting while kids scoop seeds or decorate with spoons. For younger children, skip the knives and use markers, glitter glue or paint instead.
Choose flameless candles. They’re safe, affordable, and look just like the real thing — minus the fire risk. If you do use real candles, place pumpkins on sturdy surfaces away from flammable items, and never leave them unattended.
Child and costume safety
Bright colors are best, but if your child insists on going to the dark side, add reflective tape or strips to their costume and treat bag. Clip-on bike lights are another great option — small, inexpensive and effective.
Ensure your child can see. Masks can block peripheral vision and increase the risk of tripping. Consider face paint or makeup instead.
Pumpkin carving is a blast, but activities should always be supervised, warns Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
No solo trick-or-treating under age 12 — enough said. Set ground rules for older children. Agree on a route and return time. Equip them with a flashlight and a charged cellphone. Remind them to stick with their group, stay on sidewalks, visit only well-lit homes, and never enter a house or car for a treat.
Inspect treats before allowing children to eat. Tampering is rare, but it’s always wise to check all candy anyway. Toss anything unsealed or suspicious; remove choking hazards like gum, peanuts and hard candy for younger kids — and watch for allergens.
Make your home trick-or-treat friendly; turn on your porch light, clear walkways and secure pets in a quiet room. If your doorbell stresses your animals, tape over it and keep the door open to greet visitors.
And yes, bring black cats indoors for the night. Other tips to remember to keep children safe include:
“Remind everyone, kids and adults, to put devices away, keep heads up, and walk — don’t run — when crossing streets,” Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna said. “Don’t let Halloween turn scary with planning, supervision and these safety tips.”
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