Monday, October 14, 2013

American Red Cross has 13 Lucky Tips for a Safe Halloween
Be Safe While Having Fun!
            
1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no mat­ter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
 13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

Don’t Be Scared! Be Prepared: Tips on how to keep pets safe on Halloween

(The South Plains Regional Chapter's Staff Pets)
1.      Think when you dress your pet up!
a.      Although costumes are adorable on our four legged friends, keep in mind how your pet feels about the costume. Also, make sure if you do dress your pet up to check for parts of the costume that they could choke on. Keep costumes simple and cute.
2.      Put pets in safe areas to avoid noise.
a.      If your pet is anxiety ridden, make sure to keep them in a safe and secure place in your home. Make sure they are barricaded, but comfortable in their quiet spot.
b.      Use baby gates, or limit them to a room or bathroom they normally go into so they are familiar with their surroundings.
3.      Make sure to keep an eye on your pets.
a.      If you are taking your furry friend trick-or-treating with the kids, make sure to keep dogs on leashes or harness’. Also, make sure they are comfortable walking for long periods of time.
b.      For cats, make sure to keep them away from the doors to prevent them from getting out.
c.       For outdoor pets, make sure to keep them inside on Halloween.
4.      Do not give pets candy or other harmful foods.
a.      Make sure pets do not get into candy, chocolate, or other foods that could harm them. If one of your pets gets ahold of candy, make sure to take it away from them and substitute it with safe treats for them to eat.
5.      Keep pets away from decorations that could harm them.
a.      It’s always fun to decorate for Halloween, but keep pets away from decorations that have wires, cords, or hazardous materials.
b.       If there is a decoration in your house that scares your pets, you might want to consider moving it out of sight.