Health Department Offers Drive-Thru Costume Safety Checks on Halloween
Created on Wednesday, 29 October 2014 15:23
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2014
(INDIANAPOLIS) – On Halloween night, children will dress up in their favorite costumes and walk from house-to-house in search of treats. The Marion County Public Health Department wants to help everyone have a safe trick-or-treating experience by offering free drive-thru costume inspections on Friday, Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m. at 3901 Meadows Dr.
As part of this community-wide event, a consumer product safety specialist will check costumes for potential dangers such as trip hazards, obstructed view and choking hazards. Kids will receive a reflector sticker as proof of inspection, safe trick-or-treating information and a spooky treat!
Safety Tips for Halloween
To help keep kids safe, costumes need to be sized correctly to prevent trips and falls. Costumes and bags should also have reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, feature light colors. Face paint and makeup are safer than masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Also, kids are encouraged to carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see – and be seen – by drivers.
Drivers should be especially alert for kids during trick-or-treating hours. In Indianapolis, Halloween trick-or-treating hours are 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Children are more than two times as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Drivers need to slow down in residential neighborhoods and be aware that children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and to trick-or-treat in groups.
When the night is over, parents should examine their child’s bag before any candy is eaten. Bags should be checked for small toys like spider rings and other items that could be a choking hazard for kids three years old and younger. Remind children to only eat treats in original, unopened wrappers. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn or appears to be tampered with in any way.
For more information about Halloween safety, contact the Marion County Public Health Department at 317-221-3360.
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Media Contact:
Curt Brantingham
Media/Public Information Coordinator
317-221-2316 (o) │ 317-525-7450 (c)
