NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (October 17, 2019) — Trick-or-treating is a big part of Halloween fun. Dressing up in costumes, going door-to-door and receiving candy – all while enjoying a walk in the brisk autumn weather – is a favorite pastime for many, and an activity that several of the region’s children and adults look forward to each year. Mobile Life Support Services, the largest emergency medical provider in the Hudson Valley, shares tips to help keep trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween.
Costumes
- •Make sure costumes are the correct size to prevent tripping. Ensure they are fire resistant and visible, even in dim-to-dark lighting.
- •Select nontoxic face paint or makeup instead of masks that could cover the eyes and obstruct vision. Remove products before bed to avoid a rash or skin irritation.
- •Have children carry flashlights or glow sticks to illuminate walking areas and alert drivers and other pedestrians.
- •Put reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags.
- •Do not allow children to eat anything until it is inspected by a parent or guardian.
Walking
- •Cross streets at the corners and use traffic signals and cross walks. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- •Don’t use electronic devices while walking. Keep your head up.
- •Don’t dart into or run across streets.
- •If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and stay as close to the left as possible.
- •Stay in groups and stay in lighted areas, whenever possible.
- •Don’t enter a stranger’s home.
- •Agree on a route and the time children should return home.
Driving
- •Be especially alert in neighborhoods and know that trick-or-treaters can be unpredictable.
- •Know that it is difficult to see children in dark clothing at twilight.
- •Drive at a slower pace than normal, taking time to check for children on curbs and intersections.
- •Keep distractions such as phones or food away so you can maintain all concentration on the road.
- •Use headlights earlier than normal to see children at greater distances and so they can see the cars.
- •Know the trick-or-treat hours in your community so you know when to drive especially cautiously.
Other safety considerations
- •Consider decorating the pumpkin with markers or paint, rather than carving, and using battery-operated flameless candles rather than real candles that need to be lighted.
- •Put away all tripping hazards in your yard to keep trick-or-treaters from falling.
- •If you are sensitive to trick-or-treaters who may have food allergies, put a teal pumpkin out to show them that your home is food-allergen friendly. The movement is called the Teal Pumpkin Project.
“Halloween is a fun-filled night for many families,” said Mobile Life President and CEO Scott Woebse. “We just want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the season and their treats.”
To learn more about Mobile Life, visit www.mobilelife.com. Individuals interested in employment opportunities with Mobile Life should visit the company’s website to submit an application or inquire about educational opportunities to become certified.
About Mobile Life Support Services, Inc.
Mobile Life Support Services, Inc. is a New York State Certified Advanced Life Support paramedic ambulance company that provides emergency services to communities and healthcare facilities throughout the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, including the counties of Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester. Founded in 1981 by Rick and Gayle Metzger, Mobile Life is composed of more than 500 EMS professionals across the region and operates a fleet of more than 60 ambulances and 26 stations. With a collective population of more than 1,000,000 residents, Mobile Life handles approximately 100,000 calls per year. For more information, visit www.mobilelife.com.
