Halloween safety tips for children and pets

A number of agencies have released safety tips to keep in mind as Halloween approaches. Here’s a selection:

Set ground rules with your children before they leave the house

Where are they going?
What time will they be home?
Cross streets at corners or crosswalks
Do not enter the home of someone you don’t know
Do not accept rides in cars from strangers
Approach only homes that are well lit as a sign of welcome
Carry a flashlight
Use sidewalks
Teach children to call 911 in the event of an emergency
Parents should inspect all treats before they are eaten by children
Keep children away from loose or fenced animals
Discard treats that appear to be tampered with
Children should go out in groups and not alone

Keep safe with costumes and decorations

Costumes and decorations should be made of flame retardant materials
Use glow sticks instead of candles where possible. If using candles, keep them clear of combustible materials.
Inspect electrically powered decorations for damage before using them
Turn off electrical decorations before going to sleep

Keeping your pets safe

Provide your pets some extra love and attention to relieve them of that Halloween stress.
Keep candy, especially chocolate, out of the reach of your pet. Remember: No chocolate and No candy! — Dogs love chocolate as much as humans do, but it very dangerous for dogs and cats if ingested. Keep all chocolate and candy out of reach of your pets. Have healthy pet treats on hand for your pets, and enjoy the candy and chocolate yourself.
Put your pets in a quiet room away from the commotion to reduce their stress and chance of escape. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID and dog license on your pooch in case it does escape with the trick-or-treaters. Microchipping your pet is recommended as an added precaution, since a lost pet with a microchip has a greater chance of being reunited with its owner.
Try a Halloween-themed collar or bandana to show your pet’s spirit, instead of a costume that may be constricting or unsafe.
Instead of an open flame in the jack-o’-lantern; opt for battery-powered, kid- and pet-friendly pumpkins. Open-flame candles and pumpkins with lit candles are especially dangerous because a pet’s fur can catch fire.
Don’t let your pet chew or eat things like crepe-paper streamers; these are often colored with water-soluble dyes that will discolor your pet’s mouth and can cause an upset stomach.
If your pet becomes lost, visit your local animal shelter daily to search for your pet. Create flyers and post throughout your neighborhood including local veterinary offices. Your pet may not be able to find its way home on its own; reaching out to the community can help them guide the way back to you.