Halloween Preparedness: Treat Yourself to a “Safety” Holiday with these Tips

From the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Network

Treat yourself to a Safe Halloween with these tips:

1. Home Safety: Clear walkways of any clutter and ensure they are well-lit to prevent falls. Keep decorations simple to avoid tripping hazards.

2. Fire Safety: Use decorations that are flame-resistant and avoid candles with open flames. Instead, choose flameless candles to reduce fire risks. Make sure that smoke detectors are working. Resource: Check out NFPA’s Halloween Fire Safety Tips Factsheet 

3. Pet Safety: If there are pets, keep them in a safe area away from the door during trick-or-treating. Make sure candy and decorations that could harm pets are out of their reach. Resource: Check out the ASPCA’s Halloween Safety Tips

4. Food Safety: Be aware of food allergies or dietary requirments when giving out treats. Ensure that any Halloween food is prepared safely and stored properly to avoid spoilage. Note: Some medications and other substances look like candy- check items before ingesting. Resource: Check out the FDA’s Food Safety Tips for Halloween

5. Poison Safety: If you or a loved one was exposed to something you have eaten, breathed in or came in contact with on the skin that you are unsure about the Maryland Poison Center is here for you with no cost expert advice. They can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. Resource: Check out MPC’s Poison Safety on Halloween Factsheet

6. Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency numbers handy, including local emergency services, family members, and healthcare providers. Resource: Check out Red’ Crosses’ Emergency Contact Card

7. Talk with Families: Encourage families to discuss safety plans with their loved ones, especially if they plan to join in Halloween activities. Resource: Check out Ready.gov’s Make A Plan page

8. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Have a basic emergency kit ready with important medications and contact information for healthcare providers. Resource: Check out Ready.gov’s Build A Kit page 

Shared by Lori Peck, BS, MT, Public Health Emergency Planner