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Halloween Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
GI Joes, Hannah Montanas, Clone Troopers, pirates, princesses, angels, ghosts, goblins, vampires and some pretty scary monsters are only a few of the costumed characters you’ll probably see walking through your neighborhood on Halloween.
In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 41 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 headed out for trick-or-treating fun around the country in 2010. As many youngsters look forward to a night of dressing up and filling bags of candy while going door-to-door, special emphasis should be placed on safety to ensure everyone has a good time.
“It seems like the buildup to Halloween gets bigger every year,” said Allstate spokesperson John Heid. “And before parents get their children ready for trick-or-treating, some simple steps for child safety should be taken before the doorbell ringing and candy gathering begins.”
Allstate Insurance and the National Safety Council offer some excellent guidelines for preparing children and parents for a truly Happy Halloween:
• Ensure children under age 12 are supervised by an adult or older responsible youth. Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters intend to follow.
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit, never enter a stranger’s home and establish a return time.
• Drivers should watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Dress children only in fire-retardant costumes.
• Keep costumes hemmed so they don’t cause children to trip. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
• Decorate Halloween costumes with light-colored and light-reflecting material if kids will be out after dark.
• Use facial make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Give children an early meal before sending them trick-or-treating. Tell children not to eat any treat until they return home and – when in doubt, throw it out
Memories of Halloween trick-or-treating last for years after the candy is gone, so make it a safe holiday by looking out for young participants of one of our oldest annual traditions.
For more information on this or other safety topics, contact our office at 843-766-1221
or 843-881-1921.
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Candle Safety Tips
There’s a special beauty and tranquility to candles, but a lighted candle is also an open flame, and a potential fire hazard if not carefully monitored.
In fact, according to the National Candle Association, accidental candle fires account for approximately 4 percent of all U.S. residential fires. A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 85 percent of candle fires could be avoided if consumers followed three basic safety rules: Don’t leave a burning candle unattended, avoid burning a candle on or near something that could catch fire and keep candles away from children and pets.
“Sometimes we forget to keep in mind some of the most obvious safety tips,” said Allstate spokesman John Heid.
Allstate and the National Candle Association remind consumers of the following tips while burning a candle:
• Never touch or move a burning candle. Never move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquefied.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).
• Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
• Always keep the candle within your sight. If you are going to leave the room, be sure to first blow out all candles.
“Should a fire occur in your home, you’ll need to think fast,” says Heid.
The following are some important things to have prepared, accessible, or in mind if a fire breaks out in your home:
• Have your fire extinguisher handy. Keep at least one on each floor – especially near the kitchen, garage, laundry room and workshop.
• Create a fire safety plan, with a designated meeting place. Talk with your family and make sure everyone knows what to do in case a fire breaks out.
• Designate two exits from your house. If one should be blocked, then you will the other one to use.
• If the home’s rooms and hallways are filled with smoke, then get down close to the floor and crawl to the nearest stairs. You will breathe in less smoke if you stay low.
• If you have a pet, have a plan for taking the pet with you when you leave.
Contact our office at 843-766-1221 or 843-881-1921 for more information on fire safety tips and homeowners insurance questions.
