Note: This is a news release from the Ithaca Fire Department. It was NOT written by The Ithaca Voice.
ITHACA, N.Y. — As All Hallows Eve approaches, the Ithaca Fire Department wants to share some safety tips for parents to help keep their little witches and goblins safe this season.
Related — Gallery: Kiddos hit the Ithaca Commons for early trick-or-treating
- Choose a light-colored costume or add glow-in-the-dark tape to the front and back of the costume so your kids can be easily seen
- Don’t buy a costume unless it’s labeled “flame-retardant.” This means the material won’t burn
- Put a name tag — with your phone number — on your children’s costumes.
- Accompany young children (under age 10) on their rounds. But make sure they know their home phone number, the cell phone numbers of parents and any other trusted adult who’s supervising, and how to call 911 in case they get lost
- For older kids who are trick-or-treating on their own, make sure you approve of the route they’ll be taking and know when they’ll be coming home. Also be sure that they:
- Carry a cell phone, if possible
- Go in a group and stay together
- Only go to houses with porch lights on and walk on sidewalks on lit streets
- Never go into strangers’ homes or cars
- Give kids flashlights with new batteries
- Limit trick-or-treating to your neighborhood and the homes of people you and your children know
- When your kids get home, check all treats to make sure they’re safely sealed and there are no signs of tampering, such as small pinholes, loose or torn packages, and packages that appear to have been taped or glued back together.
- Don’t allow young children to have hard candy or gum that could cause choking.
- While children can help with designing a Pumpkin/Jack O’ Lantern, leave the carving to adults
- Always keep Jack O’ Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking
- Use only battery operated candles instead of open flames.
Have a fun and Safe Halloween!