Trick-or-Treating Tips: How to Stay Safe This Halloween
As a celebration of things that go bump in the night, Halloween lets us revel in the unusual. Armed with a costume and perhaps some makeup, we can enjoy entirely new personas. Halloween also lets us show those new “identities” off, either at parties or while trick-or-treating. With so much activity going on at night, it is essential to review what makes a safe Halloween.
This includes steering clear of nighttime drivers, suspicious candy, and possible Halloween costume problems.
Making Trick-or-Treating Safe with SHAPS
Over the years, a number of traditions have been established for the spooky season. Trick-or-treating is likely one of the best known, thanks to the attention it gets from both children and adults. We at Savage teach our Team Members a way to think about safety that proves beneficial in many situations — including Halloween. It’s called SHAPS, and anyone planning to go out on Halloween night can use it To help keep trick-or-treating safe.
SHAPS, or Savage Hazard Analysis & Prevention System, teaches us to ask three simple, but important questions:
- What am I about to do?
- How could I get hurt or hurt someone else?
- What am I going to do to prevent it?
Thinking in this way can help trick or treaters and adults alike stay aware of dangers during the night. When preparing to go out, you can use SHAPS to review some essential rules to ensure a safe Halloween. These include:
1. Travel in groups
There is strength in numbers, and Halloween is no exception. Going trick-or-treating with friends brings a chance to have more fun, and a companion can help if there are Halloween costume problems of some kind, such as a tear, a lost article, or other malfunction. (Sometimes an extra pair of hands can help!) Perhaps most importantly, bigger groups are easier for drivers to see.
2. Limit time on the street
According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween night than on any other night of the year. If you plan to be outside, stay on designated sidewalks as much as possible and be mindful of vehicles.
3. Stay in well-lit areas
A safe Halloween is more likely in well-lit areas. Trick or treaters should avoid obviously shut up houses. Likewise, if you are expecting frequent visitors during the night, be sure to make your property bright.
4. Stick to houses you recognize
Teaching your kids to only take candy from people they recognize and who are friendly with their parents is a good practice no matter the time of year.
It’s easy for the excitement of the evening to distract us from hazards. By understanding and utilizing SHAPS, you can keep trick-or-treating safe.
Halloween Costume Problems Can Be Avoided
Halloween has been recognizable for costumes since the beginning. Many people who celebrate will have more than a few costumes in their life, and SHAPS can help keep them safe each year. When planning your costume around a safe Halloween, consider the following:
1. Wear glowing or reflective materials
Dark costumes can be hard to see at night, which causes a safety risk. Consider using reflective tape and/or glow sticks to increase visibility in the dark. Used creatively, it might even make the costume better!
2. Ill-fitting costumes can be dangerous
Individuals who run from house to house have a greater chance of tripping over loose clothing. Avoid Halloween costume problems by remembering that good aesthetics don’t have to sacrifice good function.
3. Flame-resistant materials are a wise investment
For those who make their own costumes, consider using polyester or nylon. These are flame-retardant materials. If you purchase a pre-made costume, there will be information on the product about fire safety.
4. Accessories have tradeoffs
Accessories can help make a costume pop, but they can also be a distraction when people should really keep their eyes up and aware of drivers. From superhero masks and princess bags to fake weapons and witches’ brooms, keep accessories to a minimum to avoid Halloween costume problems and distractions.
Keep SHAPS in mind
No matter how you’ll be celebrating, a safe Halloween is important to everyone. Savage Team Members use SHAPS to protect themselves and others at work, home, and in the community. Following these tips, you can keep trick-or-treating safe and fun this year.
