Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Keeping Halloween Fun, Frightening and Accident Free

Werewolves howl. Phantoms prowl. Halloween’s upon us now.” Richelle E. Goodrich

If you enjoy being spooked, dressing up and sweets, Halloween is your night. Of course, all the activity, fun and mischief can result in calamities. GreatFlorida Insurance wants to make sure you enjoy an amusing and safe Halloween this year by checking out the following tips.

Drivers

“Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year,” reports The National Safety Council.

  • If you plan to leave your home, try parking so you do not have to back out of a parking space.
  • Check around your vehicle for little ones before you leave.
  • Be prepared to stop at crosswalks and intersections.
  • Stay off your cell phone.

“Drive especially slow that night,” suggests Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent car insurance agency.

Trick-or-Treating Trail

Set ground rules before your kids head out. Halloween is a night of pranks. Teach your children the difference between a prank and vandalism to keep them safe and out of trouble.

  • Children under 12 years of age should have adult supervision.
  • If you are with your kids, ditch the phone. Parents need to be in the moment and pay attention.
  • Make sure to stay on sidewalks and cross the street at corners and crosswalks and always look both ways before you cross.
  • Tell your kids to never go into a stranger’s home.
  • Set a time limit for your older kids to be out and be familiar with their route.
  • Encourage kids to avoid short-cuts through alleys and backyards.

At Home

  • Create a clear path to your door. Pick up leaves, debris and garden hoses, toys and bikes so trick-or-treaters do not trip.
  • Provide good visibility. Turn on your outdoor lights and make sure to replace burned out bulbs.

“A homeowner is not liable if someone falls or trips on their property, unless the homeowner was negligent. Do your best to keep pathways repaired and potential obstacles put away,” warns Buck with GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent homeowners insurance agency.

Pets

  • Do not leave your pets in the yard, they can frighten children and entice pranksters.
  • Keep your animals confined and away from the door during trick-or-treating hours recommends The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA.
  • Halloween candy is not for pets, chocolate, especially dark chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats.
  • Pet costumes can prompt laughs, but cause stress for your animal. If you dress them up, try a test run first. Make sure their mobility, sight and ability to breath is not limited.

Costumes

  • Make sure the costume fits properly to prevent trips and falls.
  • Try using non-toxic face paint and make-up instead of masks to make sure vision is not restricted. If you use a mask, make sure the eyes and nose holes are large enough.
  • Have kids carry glow sticks or a flash light so they can be seen. Using reflective tape on a costume or candy bag is also helpful.
  • Do not allow your kids to carry sharp or dangerous accessories with their costume.
  • If you or your kids are using decorative contact lenses as part of a costume, make sure to get them from a reputable eye center and try them out first.

 

Dustyn Shroff
Dustyn Shroffhttp://www.greatflorida.com
Vice President at GreatFlorida Insurance

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