Stay safe this Halloween
Pradeep Hatcher, Public Information Assistant, No Phone Number Available
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 2:49 p.m.
We want you to have an awesome Halloween, but make sure safety doesn't slip your mind! Spokane's Fire and Police departments are offering up some tips to keep you and your family safer this weekend.
Around the nation, there are 10,300 fires during the three-day period around Halloween. These fires cause about 25 deaths, 125 injuries, and $83 million in property loss.
Here are a few things SFD recommends for safety:
- Choose a costume without long trailing fabric. This can cause a child to trip or may touch flames in jack-o'-lanterns or other decorations.
- If you make your own costume, use materials that won't catch on fire easily if they come in contact with heat or flame.
- Give your children flashlights or glow sticks so they can see where they are walking.
- Keep decorations away from candles, light bulbs or heaters.
- Consider using flameless candles or glow sticks in your jack-o'-lantern.
- Keep exits clear of decorations.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so Spokane Police are asking people to be especially alert for kids during those hours.
SPD has these additional safety tips for trick-or-treating:
- Adult Supervision: Children should never go into a stranger's house or ring the doorbell without a parent's permission. Never get into the car with someone you don't know. Only trick-or-treat friendly homes.
- Map out Your Route: Parents, go over pedestrian safety rules with kids before heading out. Be careful crossing streets and look both directions to make sure no cars are coming. Always use crosswalks and sidewalks. Where no sidewalk is present, stick close to the curb and walk facing the direction of traffic.
- Remain Visible: Make sure to always carry a flashlight, glow stick or reflective tape to be more visible to cars.
- Safety in Numbers: Stay in a group while trick-or-treating, or go with an adult.
- Don't Cover Faces: Paint kids' faces instead of wearing masks so they can see when they are walking.
- Quality Check Treats: Instruct children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by an adult.
Finally, SPD is reminding adults to have a plan before going out to celebrate. Don't be a statistic. Wear your seatbelt and make plans ahead of time to have a sober driver.
Please be as safe as possible this weekend and have a happy Halloween!
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