5 Important Halloween Safety Tips to Follow

With the year's spookiest holiday right around the corner, there's no better time than now to familiarize yourself with some essential Halloween safety tips. On Oct. 31, millions of people will participate in trick-and-treating, parties or other festive activities. Regardless of what you have planned for Halloween, you should follow these five safety tips to protect against possible injury.

#1) Choose Nontoxic Makeup

When wearing makeup on Halloween, make sure it's nontoxic. Don't assume that a particular type of makeup is safe to wear just because it's sold in retail stores. Studies have shown that many Halloween makeups contain toxic ingredients. While you may not experience any immediate symptoms upon wearing toxic makeup such as this, it's best to err on the side of caution by choosing nontoxic makeup to wear this Halloween.

#2) Walk on Sidewalks

When traversing neighborhoods with your children this Halloween, stay on the sidewalks. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the risk of automotive-related fatality among children is nearly twice as high on Halloween than any other day of the year. By staying on the sidewalks, you and your children are less likely to be struck by a passing vehicle.

#3) Wear Reflective Clothing

In addition to staying on the sidewalks, you should also wear reflective clothing when trick-or-treating this Halloween. Reflecting clothing makes you, as well as your children, more visible to motorists. When someone is driving towards you, their vehicle's headlights will reflect off your clothing. As a result, the motorist should be able to easily see you, thus lowering the risk of an accident.

#4) Use Caution When Carving Pumpkins

If you're going to carve a pumpkin this Halloween, use caution to ensure that you don't accidentally cut yourself with the carving knife. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), roughly 41% of all Halloween injuries involve pumpkin carving.

Follow these precautions when carving pumpkins to lower your risk of injury:

• Wear cut-resistant gloves
• Carve in a well-lit area
• Don't use an exceptionally sharp carving knife
• Take your time and don't rush it

#5) Don't Wear Masks That Obstruct Vision

Finally, you should avoid wearing masks that obstruction your vision. If a mask blocks or otherwise obstructs your vision, you won't be able to clearly see your surroundings. Maybe you accidentally miss a step, or perhaps you don't see an incoming vehicle. Regardless, wearing a mask that obstructions your vision is a bad idea that may lead to injury.