CONSUMER ALERT: Make Sure Kids Stay Safe This Halloween

Attorney General Chris Carr’s Consumer Protection Division is offering important tips to help keep kids safe as Georgia families prepare for Halloween.

“Halloween should be a memorable night to spend with family and friends,” said Carr. “Unfortunately, the risk of pedestrian vehicle accidents is higher due to kids trick-or-treating after dark and wearing costumes that may make it difficult to see or be seen. We want all kids in our state to stay safe and have fun, which is why our Consumer Protection Division is offering important tips to help Georgians this Halloween.”

Trick-or-Treating:

• Younger children should be accompanied by an adult. Older children should travel in groups.
• Be sure your children know to look both ways before crossing the street and to only cross at corners or crosswalks. This is even more important when it’s dark outside.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Plan a safe route, sticking with familiar neighborhoods and houses that are well-lit inside and outside.
• If you don’t feel it’s safe to have your children trick-or-treat in your neighborhood, you might want to see if your school or church offers a “trunk-or-treat” event, which is held at a designated location, such as a school parking lot. Participants decorate their vehicles and fill their trunks with candy so children can go from car-to-car trick-or-treating.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags so drivers will see children better at night.
• Carry a flashlight and bring a cell phone.
• Teach your children never to accept rides from strangers, no matter what the person says to them.
• Parents should inspect all candy to make sure it is safely wrapped and does not pose an allergic threat or choking hazard.

Costumes:

• Make sure costumes are “flame resistant.”
• If the costume has a mask, make sure your child has eye holes large enough for good peripheral vision.
• Use soft and flexible materials for swords, knives and other props.
• Make sure Halloween costumes fit properly. A costume that is too loose could pose a tripping hazard or accidentally get ignited by the open flame of a jack-o-lantern.
• Make sure face paint is hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

Pumpkin Carving and Decorations:

• An adult should always be present for pumpkin carving. Let children participate by drawing the face on the pumpkin and scooping out the insides but leave the carving to an adult.
• Any open flame can potentially be dangerous. Consider using artificial lights in your jack-o-lantern instead.