Halloween Safety Tips

The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for a safe and happy Halloween:

Costumes: • Children should carry a flashlight, and their costumes should be bright-colored or have reflective tape to highlight them. • Costumes should not have trailing material or tails long enough to cause falls. • Pointed objects such as swords and devils' forks should be made of soft material. • If your child wears a mask, double-check that the eyeholes are large enough to see clearly. • Children should wear sturdy shoes and temperature-appropriate clothing underneath their costumes.

Decorations: • Use a small flashlight instead of a candle. • Keep dried leaves and cornstalks away from all flames and heat sources.

Receiving Trick-or-Theaters: • Make sure your own home is well-lit and that there is a clear path to your door. Bicycles and lawn furniture can trip youngsters in the dark. Trick or Treating • Smaller children should always be with an adult. It's best to take little ones out early. • If older children are going out without you, go over the ground rules first • Know what neighborhoods they will be in. • Have children stay in a group.

Instruct children to: • Use sidewalks. • Cross only at the corners, never dart out between parked cars. • Cover one side of the street at a time, no criss-crossing. • Never go inside someone's home, unless it's a friend's. • Never accept a ride in a car. • Only approach houses where the outside lights are on as a signal of welcome. • Bring bags home to be checked by an adult before eating a single treat.