Boo! Halloween is right around the corner and that means it's time for some spooky season festivities.
Whether your little ones are trick-or-treating or attending a costume party, follow these top 10 Tips to Keep Children Safe this Halloween.
Always use the pavement and established crossings. Don't assume cars will stop, they may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
Be visible. Carry a torch or use reflective bands or clothing.
For our little ghouls and goblins; masks can make it harder for children to see or hear traffic. Wear face paint and hats so not to obstruct their vision.
Many light-up decorations are powered by button batteries. Check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or fastened to prevent children gaining access.
Have an adult examine sweets and treats before eating them. Only eat commercially wrapped sweets. Look out for choking hazards such as chocolate balls and hard round shaped candy.
Ensure children are accompanied by a trusted adult when they are trick-or-treating or use a buddy system.
Plan and review your route and agree on a specific time to come home.
Opt for houses with lights ON and stay in well-lit areas.
Halloween costumes are highly flammable. Look for a CE or UKLA label. These labels don’t mean a costume won’t catch fire, but it has been tested for fire safety - meaning it will burn slower.
Teach children to Stop, Drop and Roll. Ahead of Halloween, make sure children know what to do if their clothes catch fire. The instinct is to run. So, encourage them to practice stopping, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands, and rolling over a few times to put out the flames.
To find out more safety tips and advice visit https://capt.org.uk/halloween/
If you need medical advice and support fast, but it’s not life threatening, call your GP or NHS. Telephone: 111.
Telephone: 999 in an emergency or when someone is in immediate danger, for example when someone’s life is at risk, or someone is seriously injured or critically ill.
In non-emergency situations telephone 101 to contact Northumbria Police, online crimestoppers-uk.org. or by phone 0800 555 111.