10.12.2009

Halloween Safety Tips



Please welcome FCC's latest sponsor, The Safety 1st Squad ! Now in Fairfield County, the Safety 1st Squad makes professional childproofing services, formerly considered a luxury service for higher income levels, available for all families. More details about their services can be found on their website.



All FCC subscribers will receive a free consultation with the Safety 1st Squad in October (a $75 value). Just mention FairfieldCountyChild.com when you call to book your appointment. 

CALL 877-S1 SQUAD to make an appointment or log onto  http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Safety1st-Squad-Consultation to request a consult online.

More details about this offer are available in the next FCC newsletter, coming out later this week so check your inboxes.  Not a subscriber? Hurry and register now by clicking here or contact Safety 1st Squad now . 


In the meantime, I hope you find this article from Safety 1st spokesperson, Kimberlee Mitchell, helpful and timely. 



Halloween Safety Tips
By Kimberlee Mitchell, 
Child Safety Expert & Professional Childproofer


Halloween is a holiday chock full of family fun when proper safety measures are taken.  Here are a few simple tips that won’t take the treat out of the trick to having an accident-free holiday.

Practice Fire Safety
Keep a look out for costumes and accessories labeled "flame resistant." According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), these products not only resist burning but also snuff out quickly if they get too close to a flickering jack o' lantern.  When decorating your home do not place exposed flames in paper lanterns. 

Keep Your Child on His Feet
When choosing or 
creating a costume, make sure it's short enough to allow your child to walk with ease. If you've borrowed a costume that's too long, sew or tape a quick hem at the bottom. Another option is to hike up the costume with a secure belt. Be on shoelace alert too, and double-tie them before going out. Remind your child to watch out for pumpkins and other decorations on neighbors' steps and porches, since these can also pose a tripping hazard.

Make Sure Your Child Stays Visible
Hitting the trick-or-treat trail while it's still light outside is a great idea for young kids. Most cities host a Halloween trick-or-treating event.  If you and your child will be out after dark, it's a good idea to decorate the costume with strips of bright reflector tape (available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores). The tape will make your little one visible to cars and help you keep him in sight when he's thronged by trick-or-treaters. Carry a small flashlight, too — it'll come in handy for negotiating long walkways and dimly lit doorways.  Glow sticks and glow in the dark jewelry are great fun as well as handy safety devices. Pass them out to the kids so you can keep an easier eye on them.

Pass on Masks
Masks can make it hard for your child to see, breathe and cause limited vision.  Be creative and safe by offering to paint his face with nontoxic makeup instead.


Candy Care
Before letting your child dig into that Halloween loot, scrutinize the treats for evidence of tampering. Carefully examine each wrapper to make sure there are no pinpricks or signs of opening. In addition, accept homemade treats only from neighbors you know, and cut up fruit before serving it.  Even though your little one may have a mouth full of teeth, some candies are still a choking hazard.  Keep an eye on them while snacking! 

1 comment:

Hong Markin said...

An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a great subject but people are not enough to speak on such topics. Cheers!