It’s the time of year to stock up on sweet treats and fill the yard and home with spooky decorations as ghosts, goblins and caped crusaders plan their invasion of your neighborhood. Safe Electricity urges everyone to make sure costumed visitors are kept safe by avoiding potential safety hazards.
Light up the night
Before decorating begins, inspect each electrical decoration. Check cords for cracking, fraying or bare wires, as they may cause a serious shock or start a fire. Also, look for damaged plugs. Replace any damaged decorations.
Make sure any lights, animated displays or other electrical outdoor products are safety tested by a reputable laboratory such as UL (Underwriters Laboratory) and approved for outdoor use.
Do not overload extension cords or allow them to run through water on the ground. Plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into ground fault circuit interrupter-protected outlets.
When decorating outside, always make sure to look up and check that you and any equipment, such as ladders, are at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. Always carry a ladder or other long object or tool in a horizontal position.
Fright night fashion
There are several costume safety tips for children and adults alike. For example, wear costumes that are labeled flame resistant, and make sure trick-or-treaters are wearing bright, reflective costumes. If they aren’t, add strips of reflective tape for added visibility. This helps drivers avoid unnecessary accidents.
Do not wear decorative (colored) contact lenses unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and instructions on how to use them. Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure or obstruct your vision. Test the makeup you plan to use in advance for a possible allergy by putting a small amount on your arm.
No tricks, just treats
Do not let your little ones eat candy or other treats until they have been inspected at home. Limit your risk of questionable candy by only ringing doorbells attached to homes of people you know.
During inspection, check all labels for potential food allergens. If you have very young trick-or-treaters, remove any choking hazards, such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys, from the goodie pile. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as tiny pinholes, tears in wrappers or anything else unusual.
At Safe Electricity, we hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween. For more electrical safety tips, visit SafeElectricity.org.
