Halloween Safety Tips from the Boston Fire Department

From safety tips on trick-or-treating or guidance about costumes, the Boston Fire Department has released a list of procedures all Boston parents and guardians should take to keep loved ones safe this Halloween. 

Trick-or-Treating

• Small children should always be accompanied by an adult. They should also be taken out early.
• Know what neighborhoods children will be in.
• Don't allow them in areas you're not completely comfortable with.
• Children should stay in a group.
• There should be ground rules set first, like what time to be home.
• Give children change to use a pay phone, if necessary. 
• Always use sidewalks.
• Cover one side of the street at a time - no criss-crossing.
• Never enter a stranger's home or accept a ride. 
• Only approach houses with lights on outside. 
• Bags should be checked by adults before eating a single treat. 

Costumes

• Costumes should be bright-colored with reflective tape.
• Be sure all parts of the costumes are labeled "flame retardant."
• Costumes should not have trailing material or long tails.
• Pointed objects such as swords and devil's forks should be made of soft material.
• All masks should have eye holes large enough to see through clearly.
• Children should wear sturdy shoes and temperature-appropriate clothing underneath their costumes. 

Receiving Trick-or-Treaters and Decorations

• Make sure your home is well-lit.
• Make sure there is a clear path to your door (remove bicycles or lawn furniture that could be in the way.)
• Use a small flashlight in pumpkins instead of a candle.
• Only use flame-proof crepe paper.
• Keep dried leaves and corn stalks away from all flames and heat sources. 
• Firecrackers, cherry bombs and fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts. They can cause injury and fires on Halloween and should not be used.

Checking Treats

• Throw out anything that appears to be tampered with, is home made or home packaged, unless you are certain of the source.
• Inspect fruit closely.
• Take away treats that are not age appropriate (young children can choke on hard candies or peanuts.) 

Note: Information used in this guide was taken directly from a Boston Fire Department flyer on Halloween safety. You can read the full notice here.