With Halloween approaching and many fall festivities already underway, emergency services officials in Oglethorpe County are offering tips and reminders to help keep your family safe this spooky season.
Trick or treating
With more foot traffic expected on the streets than any other day of the year, officials say Halloween can heighten the risk for pedestrian injuries.
To help prevent injuries, E911 director Angela Jackson and EMS director Jason Lewis said it’s important to make sure parents and children are visible. If your costume is dark, Jackson recommends wearing something reflective and staying back from the road when traveling on the sidewalk.
Many businesses and churches participate in festivities and trunk or treats, including the annual Trunk or Treat at the recreation department. Jackson and Lewis recommend going to these gatherings rather than individual houses.
Quick tips:
- Stay in groups.
- Young children should always be accompanied by a parent or adult.
- Carry a cellphone in case of an emergency.
- Carry flashlights or wear glow sticks.
- Don’t go to unfamiliar houses or areas.
- Always use the sidewalk and stay on well-lit streets.
Tips for motorists:
- Slow down.
- Be mindful of children walking on the streets, and in areas or on side streets they’re not used to traveling.
Candy safety
When it comes to ensuring your Halloween treats are safe, Jackson and Lewis both said to be cautious of unwrapped candy or candy that could be opened and rewrapped.
“They'll take what looks like the regular candy that we normally eat and put something in it, drugs or something,” Jackson said. “And then rewrap it, so you'd never know that it's not just a regular piece of candy.”
Instead, Jackson said to try and eat candy that can't be individually unwrapped and possibly tampered with, like Skittles or M&M’s.
Parents are encouraged to stay vigilant and check their child’s candy.
Quick tips:
- Inspect all treats at home before eating.
- Discard any treats that have been tampered with or opened.
- If you think your child consumed tainted candy, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They are available to help online or by phone 24/7.
Homeowners and decorations
Fire safety hazards lurk among Halloween decorations and festivities, including jack-o’-lanterns. Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Cody Gibbs recommends using battery-operated candles for decorations instead of open flames to avoid the risk of a fire.
Quick tips:
- Keep sidewalks, driveways and porches well-lit and free of hazards.
- Use battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns.
- Place jack-o’-lanterns with open flames out of reach from children and away from other decorations.