News

Beebe Medical Center Encourages All to Have a Safe Halloween

10/22/07

With children out trick-or-treating, Halloween can be a time of accidents. Beebe Medical Center would like to encourage those in the community to take some simple precautions in order to enjoy a safe holiday.
"Trick-Or-Treaters"
Carry a flashlight.
Walk. Don't run.
Stay on sidewalks when possible, if no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
Obey traffic signals.
Stay in familiar neighborhoods.
Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
Shoes should fit even if they don't go with your costume.
Only approach houses that are lit.
Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Parents
Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out.
Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes.
Children should carry quarters or a cell phone so they can call home.
Try and buy a costume that is made of flame retardant material.
Know where your children are going.
Make certain your children know how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected.
Have children carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

Homeowners
Make certain your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flowerpots that can trip children.
Check outdoor lights and replace burned out bulbs.
Put your pets in a safe zone to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.
Place lit jack o'lanterns well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
Health food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low fat crackers with cheese, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their rounds.
If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org