This Halloween, people of all ages will enjoy dressing up in costumes, marching in parades, visiting haunted houses and eating tons of candy, but amid all of festive the fun, there are a number of safety tips kids and adults should keep in mind.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goes by a "SAFE HALLOWEEN" anagram, a helpful reminder of things to remember during trick-or-treating. Any swords, knives or similar accessories should be soft and flexible to prevent injury, trick-or-treaters should always go in groups and never alone, and reflective tape should be worn to help drivers spot children at night.
It's especially important for kids to walk safely as more than twice as many children are killed on Halloween each year in pedestrian-car accidents between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. than any other time of year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Paying close attention while driving is essential in neighborhoods where children are trick-or-treating.
Experts also warn everyone to avoid decorative contact lenses, which while fun, could cause serious eye damage and even blindness if worn improperly or cared for incorrectly. Kids are advised to only eat factory-made candies and never anything homemade by adults they don't know, and to never accept riders or invitations inside a home from strangers.
Adults are advised not to overload electrial outlets with any special indoor décor, especially when it comes to older decorations, and to be extra cautious when setting up candles for an atmospheric effect, as they are a fire hazard.
"Make sure that driveways and walkways are cleaned up and well maintained. Also lighting at transitions between the driveway and the walkway can prevent a potentially dangerous situation where someone could slip," senior property specialist Jim Gustin advised to ABC News.
"We want to stress to folks as they or their children are out walking on Halloween that they need to pay attention, have a flashlight and have reflective clothing," Gustin said. "If people don't have their lights on, don't approach those homes because it has the potential to be a more dangerous situation."
