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• With Planning, Halloween Can Be Safe, Fun

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  Halloween is just around the corner, and that means many children will be out trick-or-treating. The good news is that with some planning and attention, parents can make sure that the holiday is both safe and fun.

  Michelle Reinen, the director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said that part of their consumer protection work is product safety, and Halloween costumes, decorations and more should be examined for safety before use.

  Reinen said that even before Halloween arrives, there are risks to be aware of. Carving pumpkins is a fun tradition, but she points out that often, children who would not usually be allowed to handle knives are given sharp tools to carve their jack-o-lanterns. Reinen recommended, “Let them draw with a pencil or marker where they want the carving, and let the adults do that. Or, even more fun for the kids is to give them a bunch of paint or markers and let them decorate the pumpkin that way.”

  Just in time for Halloween last year, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection published the following advice for trick-or-treaters and for people providing treats:

  For trick or treaters:

  • Supervision is key. Young children should have adult supervision and all children should be reminded to stay on sidewalks and not run out from between parked cars.
  • Remove drawstrings on children’s costumes. It is illegal to sell children’s clothing in Wisconsin with a drawstring in the neck area, but resale shop might have old costumes where this hazard hasn’t been removed. Examine resale and hand-me-down costumes and remove drawstrings.
  • Be aware of fire risks. Make sure costumes — including masks, beards and wigs — are labeled “fire resistant,” and be careful of open flames such as candles and jack-o-lanterns. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
  • Make children’s costumes clearly visible to motorists. Children in light-colored outfits are easier to spot from passing vehicles. Add glow sticks, flashlights, reflectors and reflective tape to the costumes — these items can be found in bike shops or hardware stores.
  • Remove sharp or pointy objects from costumes. Accessories like toy swords, knives and pitchforks might cause injury if a child falls in the dark. If a costume involves these types of accessories, make sure that they are constructed of soft and flexible materials.
  • Be certain that hats, masks and wigs do not obstruct vision. Masks should fit securely and have eyeholes large enough for full vision. Consider using face paint or washable hair dye on children instead of masks and wigs.
  • Children should be told not to eat any treats before coming home. Parents should carefully examine all treats for signs of tampering and discard anything not sealed in its original packaging.

  For residents passing out treats:

  • Clear the pathways on your property. Remove any yard tools, toys or foliage that may obstruct the sidewalk and path to your door.
  • Keep your property well lit.
  • Consider your pet’s well-being. Move pets to an area of the home where they will not be bothered by the doorbell or knocking and where they will not pose a risk to revelers.
  • Light jack-o-lanterns with battery-powered candles instead of traditional candles.

  Reinen and Wisconsin Public Radio host Larry Meiller both said they thought that staying within someone’s own neighborhood for trick-or-treating was also a good approach for safety.

  “You know where you are, and if you do get separated, you know your neighbors, so you have a safe person to talk to … you have those connections there,” she said.

  More advice on having a safe and fun Halloween is available from Consumer Reports, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offer useful suggestions.

  To find out when trick-or-treating is scheduled in a Wisconsin community, a 2013 Municipal Trick-or-Treat List is available on the Haunted Wisconsin website.