This is a page for safety tips regarding Halloween. Anyone with tips and photos PLEASE email them to me @ [email protected]. Here are my first couple of items.
Halloween is quickly approaching and kids of all ages dream about their costumes and the variety of candy they will be collecting from trick-or-treating. Bottom line…Halloween is a lot of fun for many who choose to participate in the ghoulish festivities, but it can be very scary too! Do you know that pedestrians are more likely to be struck by a vehicle on October 31st than any other time of the year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety? On Halloween night, it’s imperative for adults to be especially vigilant and practice common sense OPSEC – especially during nighttime hours.
While you may or may not participate in Halloween, many American families do. Stay vigilant so that you and your family have a safe and fun Halloween this year! The 5 steps of OPSEC aren’t just for protecting information at work – they can also be applied to almost anything, even Halloween. Here is just one example:
1. Identify Critical Information (Halloween night)
2. Analyze the Threat (Pedestrian Involvement vs. automobile accident)
3. Analyze the Vulnerabilities (Higher quantity of pedestrians on foot than normal)
4. Assess the Risks (Distracted pedestrians stepping into traffic without looking)
5. Apply the Countermeasures: (Reduce speed while driving and be aware of surroundings)
Below are 12 common sense safety tips for Children and Adults to keep Halloween fun and safe:
Children –
1. Always travel in a group.
2. Use flashlights or glow-in-the-dark sticks or necklaces to enhance visibility.
3. Never go to anyone’s front door alone.
4. Never go inside someone’s home to get Halloween treats.
5. Stay with your group at all times.
a. Use code words and whistles to stay together.
6. Always let your parents or guardians inspect the “bounty”!
7. Don’t accept homemade Halloween treats from someone you don’t know.
8. Consider trick-or-treating at a local mall or business instead of walking outdoors at night.
9. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Adults –
10. Give your children a trick-or-treat time limit and be aware of town or neighborhood curfews.
11. Inspect wrapped treats for signs of tampering such as unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers.
12. Avoid neighborhood shortcuts while driving.
a. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be walking.
b. Watch for pedestrians who may not see you, and avoid distractions.
If you have any ideas for future OPSEC Bulletins, please contact Shane Alexander OPSEC Program Manager at (304) 256-7608 or [email protected].
Going trick-or-treating?
 |
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. |
 |
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. |
 |
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. |
 |
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. |
 |
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house. |
|
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. |
 |
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. |
|
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. |
 |
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. |
 |
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. |
|
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. |
|
Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. |
 |
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
