EPD Advice for Halloween Safety

EPD Chief Travis Bennett offers the following safety tips for safe trick-or-treating this Halloween. In Elkins, by longstanding council resolution, trick-or-treating is observed every year on Halloween (Oct. 31), 6:30-8 p.m.

Halloween is a fun holiday but it does pose a few safety risks. Fortunately, some simple precautions can make sure everyone has a fun time and makes it home in one piece. Regarding costumes, please make sure you choose a costume that the label says is “flame resistant.” It’s also important to remember visibility. If your child is wearing a dark-colored costume, you should add some strips of reflective tape so drivers can see them. Make sure children’s masks don’t obscure their own vision so they can see cars coming.

For drivers, my advice is to stay off the road if possible on Halloween evening. If you have to go out, drive at a reduced speed and keep a sharp eye out. There are going to be a lot of excited children who might run across streets unexpectedly, and unfortunately not everyone is going to follow the advice to use reflective tape. Think about how you would feel if you caused another family’s Halloween to end in tragedy.

Parents, make sure your children know not to eat any of their candy until you get a chance to look at it. Don’t consume homemade treats from anyone you don’t know personally, and throw away candy that looks like it has been tampered with. Finally, keep in mind that nationwide there have been reports of children accidentally ingesting substances like fentanyl, THC, and other controlled substances because these are sometimes manufactured into pill or gummy forms that resemble candy. If you’re not sure about something, throw it out–you’ll still have plenty of candy to enjoy, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!