By Michelle Matthews
Fall is my favorite time of year! There is something refreshing to me about packing away my summer clothing and pulling out all my favorite fall hoodies and sweaters. Another thing I look forward to is all the holidays-Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! We literally have a holiday every month for the rest of the year!
For many folks, Halloween is a favorite. Kids especially love Halloween for the opportunity to dress up and go trick-or-treating. In order make this experience both fun and safe, I have some safety tips I would like to share.
Make sure to wear shoes that fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame. And speaking of flame, look for “flame resistant” on the costume label.
Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. You might consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility. Carrying a flashlight to help you see is always wise too. Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no side walk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
As an alternative to masks, consider non-toxic makeup or decorative hats. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding down and impairing vision. And avoid decorative contact lenses unless they are prescribed by an eye doctor. Wearing contacts that are not prescribed to you could cause inflammation and serious eye infections.
My last tip is to only go to homes with a porch light on, and never enter a home or car for a treat. This is, of course, unless you know the homeowner well. If you are trick-or-treating at grandma’s, you can guarantee she will want you to come in for a picture!
These are just a few tips to ensuring your trick-or-treating experience is a safe one!