Spooky Season is upon us! October is the time for carving pumpkins, drinking apple cider, and celebrating Halloween. Those of us here at Mountain View Town Hall wanted to share some ways to stay safe.
Safety Tips
- See and Be Seen
- Give the little trick-or-treater in your life some glow sticks or reflective tape to make them more visible to drivers in the dark. A 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pedestrian fatalities were 43% higher on Halloween evening compared with other evenings around the same time of year.
- Chief Nesbitt says to make sure masks and other costume accessories don’t obstruct your trick-or-treater’s field of view so they can clearly see cars, other pedestrians, and potential hazards in their path.
- Our new public works director, Jim Greer, says to always use sidewalks to avoid accidents.
- Clear pathways
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that falls make up 25% of ER visits on Halloween. To prevent this, clear pathways for trick-or-treaters.
- Make sure costumes are not dragging on the ground to prevent tripping.
- Ensure that decorations do not obstruct walkways
- Four-legged monsters
- Visibility also applies to pets! If you need to walk your furry friend on Halloween night, ensure you and your pet are visible to drivers.
- Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, so it’s best to keep your treats safe from the little gremlin in your home.
- Pumpkin Carving Safety
- According to the CPSC, 55% of emergency room visits are from pumpkin carving accidents. Choose serrated, child friendly tools for carving rather than kitchen knives or box cutters. Keep your hands, tools, and workspace dry to maintain grip.
- Use battery-powered candles for Jack-o-lanterns to prevent fire.
- Hands off the candy!
- Before digging into their Halloween haul, encourage kids to let an adult check their candy for opened or damaged packaging and be mindful of any food allergies.
- For younger trick-or-treaters, remove choking hazards like gum, hard candy, and small toys.
- And parents, try not to steal all the good stuff!
Keep the scary stuff on your screen, and off the street. Officer Amezquita’s favorite Halloween movie is Trick or Treat. Other Halloween-time favorites in Town Hall include Hocus Pocus, The Conjuring, and Nightmare on Elm Street.
Halloween is one of the best nights of the year to get outside, meet your neighbors, and enjoy everything that makes our community special. Whether you’re trick-or-treating, handing out candy, showing off an elaborate costume, or staying home with your own little monster, a little preparation can help keep the evening fun for everyone.
From all of us at Mountain View Town Hall, have a safe and happy Halloween!
