Halloween Safety Tips from Allstate
October 20, 2010
CHARLESTON, SC – October 20, 2010 – GI Joes, Hannah Montanas, Clone Troopers, princesses, angels, ghosts, goblins, Wolverine X-Men and some pretty scary monsters are only a few of the costumed characters you’ll probably see walking through your neighborhood on Halloween.
In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 36 million children between the ages of 5 and 13 headed out for trick-or-treating fun around the country in 2009. As many youngsters look forward to a night of dressing up and filling bags of candy while going door-to-door, special emphasis should be placed on safety to ensure everyone has a good time.
It seems like the buildup to Halloween gets bigger every year, said Allstate agent Kevin Shealy, who owns and operates Allstate agencies in Columbia and Charleston. And before parents get their children ready for trick-or-treating, some simple steps for child safety should be taken before the doorbell ringing and candy gathering begins.
Allstate Insurance and the National Safety Council offer some excellent guidelines for preparing children and parents for a truly Happy Halloween:
•· Ensure children under age 12 are supervised by an adult or older responsible youth. Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters intend to follow.
•· Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
•· Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit, never enter a stranger’s home and establish a return time.
•· Drivers should watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
•· Dress children only in fire-retardant costumes.
•· Keep costumes hemmed so they don’t cause children to trip. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
•· Decorate Halloween costumes with light-colored and light-reflecting material if kids will be out after dark.
•· Use facial make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
•· Give children an early meal before sending them trick-or-treating. Tell children not to eat any treat until they return home and – when in doubt, throw it out
Memories of Halloween trick-or-treating last for years after the candy is gone, so make it a safe holiday by looking out for young participants of one of our oldest annual traditions.
For more information on this or other safety topics, contact the Kevin Shealy Agency at (843) 573-4777 or via email at [email protected].
About the Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the You’re In Good Hands With Allstate® slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com®. and 1-800 Allstate
