Reading, MA — Police Chief David J. Clark, Fire Chief Gregory Burns, and the Reading Police and Fire Departments would like to share tips and guidance to help kids and families stay safe as they celebrate Halloween this year.
Costume Safety
Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by following the below guidelines, courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Reduce fire hazards by choosing costumes made of polyester or nylon fabric and not sheer cotton or rayon fabric.
- Use reflective tape as a trim for costumes and outerwear to help be seen in lower light. Wearing a brightly colored costume and carrying a flashlight or glow stick can also help brighten the walkways for trick-or-treaters.
- Wear a costume that fits and avoid overly long or baggy costumes to prevent trips and falls. Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks, which can obscure vision.
- Carefully follow all product directions and test any makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy. Always remove all makeup before going to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
- Don’t decorate your face with things that aren’t intended for your skin.
- Don’t wear decorative or colored contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury, unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds.
- If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow. Agree on a specific time older children and teenagers should return home.
- Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies.
- Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep their heads up and walk, and not run, across the street. Always look both ways before crossing the street.
Driving Safety
The following tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, can help keep the roads safe on Halloween:
- Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
- On Halloween there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.
- Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
- Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, your mind on driving and your hands on the wheel.
- Don’t drive impaired. Designate a sober driver or use a taxi or rideshare service. If you see a potentially impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.
- Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol, and you could be held legally responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave.
The Reading Police and Fire Departments wish the community a safe and happy Halloween!
