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Halloween Safety Tips
The Mondamin Fire Department provides tips for a safe and happy Halloween:

Costumes:
- Children should carry a flashlight or chemical lightstick and their
costumes should be bright-colored or have reflective tape to highlight them.
- Be sure all parts of the costume are labeled flame retardant.
- 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.
- Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup
and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
- If your child wears a mask instead of make-up on their face, double
check that the eye holes are large enough to see through clearly.
- Children should wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate
clothing underneath their costumes.
Preparations and Decorations
- Use a small flashlight instead of a candle.
- Only use flame-proof crepe paper.
- Keep dried leaves and cornstalks away from all flames and heat
sources.
- Do NOT overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special
effects.
- Always keep Jack O' Lanterns away from drapes, decorations, flammable
materials or areas where children will be standing or walking.
- Confine pets in areas where it will be safe for both pets and "Trick
or Treaters".
- Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly
throughout the community.
- Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is
acceptable to you.
- Adult partygoers should establish a designated driver.
Receiving Trick-or-Treaters
- 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.
- Clear leaves from sidewalks as wet leaves create a slipping hazard.
Trick or Treating
- Smaller children should always be with an adult. It's best to take
little ones out early.
- Children should carry a flashlight so they can see and be seen.
- If older children are going out without you, go over the ground rules
first!
- Know what neighborhoods they will be in.
- Don't allow them in areas with which you are not completely
comfortable.
- Have children stay in a group.
- Let them know what time to be home.
- Give them change to use the telephone if necessary and make sure they
know how to call home.
- Review with your children the principal of "Stop, Drop, and Roll" in
case their clothing catches on fire.
- Never accept or consume food items or drinks.
- Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any
suspicious or unlawful activity.
Instruct Children to:
- Use sidewalks. Always walk, never run.
- Cross only at the corners, never dart out between parked cars.
- Cover one side of the street at a time, no criss-crossing.
- Never accept a ride in a car.
- Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
- 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.
Checking Treats
- Throw out anything that appears tampered with, home-made foods, or
home-packaged foods unless you are certain of the source.
- Inspect fruit closely and take away treats that may not be
age-appropriate.
- Make sure items that can cause choking are given only to those of an
appropriate age. Young children may choke on things like hard candy or
peanuts.
Fireworks
- Firecrackers, cherry bombs, and party poppers cause many injuries and
fires on Halloween. These are dangerous and should not be used by children,
teens or adults. Besides the physical danger and the fire hazards involved,
fireworks are illegal in Mondamin.
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
- Each year around Halloween, we turn the clocks back one hour. This is
a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. This year, buy
batteries along with your Halloween candy, and on Saturday, October 25th,
change your clocks and change your batteries.
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