The Richmond Register

Viewpoints

October 29, 2009

By following a few common sense tips, Halloween can be more safe

Halloween is always a festive time of the year, especially when there are children around. The magic of the season lends itself to making memories for the young and the young at heart.

Halloween’s arrival is usually greeted with cool, crisp evenings and an array of colorful leaves — and this year should be no exception. For weeks, many of us are consumed with carving pumpkins, decorating with fodder shocks and fall’s vegetables, attending costume parties, and, of course, trick-or-treating.

Everyone wants it to be a safe and happy Halloween. By following a few safety tips and using a little common sense, we can help to make the most out of our Halloween season.

When preparing for the big night, help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. It should be fire proof and the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision. If you place jack-o-lanterns with candles on your porch, make sure they are far enough out of the way not to be a danger to children in costumes. If your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or pitchfork, make sure the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause the child injury if he or she falls on it.

As we prepare decorations, it is always enjoyable and a good bonding experience to involve our children (or grandchildren) — just remember to watch the smaller children with sharp knives. If you don’t like the mess of actually carving the pumpkins, you can always use markers and draw faces on the pumpkins. Either way, you can make memories.

Dressing in costume to go door-to-door begging “tricks or treats” from neighbors, friends or at local businesses is the stuff of childhood memories. To keep the evening’s fun meter on high, follow these tips:

• Instruct children to go out during daylight hours only, unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Plan a safe route so you know where your older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your children are old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.

• Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and not to go off the beaten track. They should stay in well lighted areas.

• Instruct your children to stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless you or another responsible adult is with them.

• Never allow small children to go out alone on Halloween. Make sure an older sibling or adult is with them.

• Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.

• Instruct your children to never go into the home of a stranger or get into anyone’s car.

• Make sure your children carry a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

• Let your children know that they should stay together as a group if going out to trick-or-treat without an adult.

It is always better if children are accompanied by an adult. It also is much safer for them to trick-or-treat at locally sponsored events at businesses, churches, schools or festivals.

Halloween is a fun time for children — and a few simple guidelines can help to ensure the fun night is remembered with a smile.

Text Only
Viewpoints
  • Ronnie-Ellis.jpg Republicans are making some noise

    FRANKFORT — Last week’s news was mostly about Tuesday’s primary election but some Republicans who were not on the ballot also had interesting things to say.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ike Adams Taking our Sunday night baths

    There in the head of Blair Branch, when I was growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s, we always took our weekly baths, even during cold weather, every Sunday night, whether we needed one or not.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Michael-Barone-NEW-Color.jpg Obama pursues higher tax rates

    In the run-up to this weekend’s G-8 summit at Camp David, journalists have unfavorably compared European “austerity” with Barack Obama’s economic policies.
    European spending cuts, the argument goes, have hurt people and are arousing political opposition, while Obama’s proposals to keep federal spending at 24 percent of gross domestic product indefinitely are likely to succeed.

    May 21, 2012 1 Photo

  • Susan-Estrich-color.jpg Graduation day

    It’s that time of year. What’s the old song? “I can still remember...” And I do. It’s what I talk about when I’m invited to be a graduation speaker and what I write about every year at this time.
    It’s about all those painful memories.

    May 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • Michael-Barone-NEW-Color.jpg Recent news could cause panic for Obama campaign

    Is it panic time at Obama headquarters in Chicago? You might get that impression from watching events – and the polls – over the past few weeks.

    May 17, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jim Waters EPA goes medieval on Kentucky coal

    EPA goes medieval on KRoman legions? Horrific crucifixions? Sacking dissenters and making examples out of their deaths?
    These may sound like some of the gruesome tactics used by military commanders of the ancient world, but according to Al Armendariz, who, until recently, was regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s much more relevant to modern America than we’d care to believe.

    May 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bill-Robinson.jpg Don’t just pick out a card

    When Anna Jarvis launched the movement for a Mother’s Day observance in 1908, her intention was to have everyone write their mother a letter, putting some thought and sincerity into thanking and telling her what she had meant to them.
    Unsurprisingly, the idea caught on quickly and became very popular. But, Jarvis was disappointed with the outcome.

    May 12, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ronnie-Ellis.jpg Returning to a calmer situation

    FRANKFORT – After a two-month absence, I’ve returned to Frankfort where things seem calmer than when I left.

    May 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Susan-Estrich-color.jpg Saturday night with Bea

    “They made me feel so small.”
    Bea does my nails. I found her because she works seven days a week until 8 at night.
    She sits at the front table, which in the world of Vietnamese nail salons means the money is in her drawer, and she’s the one who makes sure everyone gets their fair share of business.

    May 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bill-Robinson.jpg Why are we in the dumps, again?

    The many positive comments readers and friends have given my weekly column have motivated me to keep writing it.

    May 5, 2012 1 Photo

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Poll

A recent health ranking listed Madison County as the 20th healthiest county in the state. It measured factors such as exercise, access to health care and smoking. Do you smoke cigarettes?

Yes
No
I used to, but I quit.
     View Results