Two Very Different Ways to Get Halloween Safety Tips

As the SouthCoast prepares for what will probably be a wet Halloween night, the Marion Police and Fire Departments are releasing a list of helpful tips on how to keep your children safe.

You can either follow these tips from the Marion Police, or you can always just watch this amazingly creepy Halloween safety video from the 1970s. This is the EXACT video that was shown in Massachusetts Public Schools back in the day. We're not sure what to think about what they did to that little girl's witch costume, but we're not entirely comfortable with it. The '70s sure were a weird time to be alive.

• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls. Consider adding reflective tape to kids' costumes and bags to help drivers see them.
• If temperatures are cold during trick-or-treating time, be sure to have your kids wear long sleeves and warm clothing under their costume.
• If a child is wearing a mask instead of make-up, make sure the eye holes are large enough to see through clearly. Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as a safer alternative to masks. Test make-up in a small area of skin first and always remove make-up before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
• When shopping for costume pieces, look for and purchase ones that are labeled as flame retardant.
• Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. A child may be easily hurt by accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.

Trick-or-Treating

• Children under 12 should always be accompanied by an adult. Avoid trick-or-treating alone.
• If your older children are going out without parental supervision, go over ground rules and set a curfew. Have them travel in a group, with a cell phone and flashlight. Make sure children know how to call 911 if they have an emergency.
• Pedestrian injuries are very common on Halloween. Remind kids to stay in a group. They should walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic. Crosswalks should be used whenever possible and children should always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on. Never go into a home or car for a treat.
• Examine all of your kids' treats for choking hazards and tampering. Do not eat treats that have been opened, even partially. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Keeping Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters

• Make sure your home is well-lit inside and out and that there is a clear path to your front door.
• Keep all decorations like cornstalks and hay away from heat sources and lit candles.
• Use battery-operated tea lights instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns.
• Remember to put matches and lighters away in a high, locked cabinet so children cannot access them or be tempted to relight jack-o-lanterns by themselves.

Have a fun, safe Halloween.