Halloween Safety

Halloween: A Night for Treats, Not Tragedies What You Need to Know to Keep Your Kids Safe on Halloween?  When it comes to preventing injury and keeping your kids safe on Halloween we have found that repeated and consistent messages are the keys to safety. Our research reveals that parents may be placing their children in harm’s way by failing to talk to them each and every year about Halloween safety. Given children’s limited attention spans, as well as their ever-evolving cognitive abilities, you must review all the correct behaviors with your children to help them be safe. Make sure to review our safety tips before you headout trick-or-treating. Did you know that on average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween as compared to any other day of the year? Kids will be out while it is dark – making it harder for drivers to see them and because they’re excited about getting candy, they may not be watching out for cars. Parents and drivers both need to do their part to help kids stay out of the emergency room on Halloween. Emphasize safe pedestrian behaviors to kids before they go out trick-or-treating. Parents should also remember that costumes can be both creative and safe, so look for ways to use reflective materials. Drivers must slow down and watch out for trick-or-treaters, especially around crosswalks and driveways. Top tips to keep your kids safe on Halloween For parents and children: Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don't run, across the street. For drivers: Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances. Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle. Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Costumes and Treats Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility. Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup. Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers. Liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them. Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped. More About Pedestrian Safety Pedestrian Safety Resources Halloween Research Report Halloween Safety Tip Sheet Photos Showing Safe Behavior http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-spotlight/halloween-safety/#__utma=1.2141962091.1332787304.1350923922.1350924422.16&__utmb=1.0.10.1350924422&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1350916439.14.3.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=safe%20kids%20of%20western%20mass&__utmv=-&__utmk=94479772

Why Pedestrian Safety is Important

Walking Safely Tips Tips for Walkers Developmentally, most kids can't judge speeds and distances until at least age 10, so younger kids need to cross with an adult Did you know most walking injuries happen mid-block or someplace other than intersections? Whenever possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking and listening while crossing Walk, don't run, when crossing the street It's always best to walk on sidewalks or paths, but if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible Remove headphones when crossing the street If you need to use your phone, stop walking Distraction among drivers is at an all-time high today, so try to make eye contact with the driver before you step into the road Tips For Drivers Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, before and after school hours Most walkers are injured mid-block, not at intersections, so watch out for kids who may dart into traffic or cross where they shouldn't Give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk Using cell phones, even hands-free, makes it harder for drivers to be alert to walkers who may also be distracted on cell phones Share This

http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/pedestrian/why-pedestrian-safety-is-important.html

Up Coming Car Seat Check Up Events

November 1^st

BH Ambulance

345 Page Boulevard

We will have appointments from 9am-5pm, but extra appointments 11am-2pm

 

November 2^nd

Holyoke Fire Department

600 High Street

11am-2pm

November 6^th

Kohl’s Department Stores (Kohl’s Donation Announcement Event)

Riverdale Road, West Springfield

11am-3pm

November 8^th

Ludlow Boys and Girls Club

91 Claudia Way

10:30am-1:30pm

Be Safe Halloween 2012

Holyoke Fire Department
Be Safe Halloween 2012
600 High St. Holyoke
2:00 to 6:00 pm

Fire Safety

Plan and Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan 

During National Fire Prevention Week (October 7-13), Safe Kids Worldwide and the United States Fire Administration are teaming up to ask every family to create a home fire escape plan and to practice it with the entire family. We are working to raise awareness on fire safety all month long.

• Every day at least one child dies in a home fire. In that same day, 293 children suffer from a non-fatal unintentional injury caused by a fire or burn. 

• Home fires account for nearly 90 percent of all fire-related fatalities.

• 77 percent of families have not developed and practiced a home fire escape plan, one of the most important components to surviving a home fire.

• Fire can spread rapidly through a home, leaving a family as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds.

• Safe Kids and the United States Fire Administration are encouraging everyone to create and practice an at-home fire escape plan.

• Download our fire escape worksheet, in English or in Spanish.  The worksheet provides a diagram to help children and parents work together to create and practice their own fire escape plan.
• http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-spotlight/plan-and-practice-your-home-fire-escape/