“We want Wayne County residents in our 43 communities to enjoy Halloween and take steps to make this year’s holiday festivities enjoyable and healthy ones for families and residents of all ages,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “Parents and children should have fun but also remember to follow necessary precautions to stay safe.”
To keep the evening ghoulishly delightful for area residents, Wayne County through its Department of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness Section, offers a few important Halloween safety reminder tips:
- Costumes–Your little ghoul’s costumes should allow full movement. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a tripping hazard, especially at night. Check to be sure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision. Whether purchased or homemade, costumes should always be made out of flame-resistant materials to prevent them from catching on fire.
- Candy — Never let your kids eat Halloween candy from trick-or-treating before you inspect it in the light at home or at local police stations that may offer this service. You should always check all candy to be safe and throw away any with open wrappers. If candy appears to be tampered with and looks suspicious, save it for local authorities and contact them immediately.
- Candles — Candles, especially in a jack o’ lantern, should be well off the ground and out of a child’s reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for a safer lighting alternative.
- Driving — As Halloween eve approaches and ghouls and goblins begin trick-or-treating through residential neighborhoods, don’t use your cell phone while driving. A single distraction could lead to tragedy. Instead, pull over if you have to make a call, and pay extra attention to the side of the road for children and pedestrians. Motorists should also stay well below the posted speed limit during trick-or-treat hours.
For additional ways on celebrating safely this Halloween, call the Wayne County Department of Public Health at 734-727-7000, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/.
Happy hauntings!
Source: Wayne County Health and Human Services Department
