Where Them Ghouls At, Ghouls At? We can all be friends (boo-ooh): Consumer Protection Offers Halloween Safety Tips

HARTFORD - Ghouls just want to have fun. That's why the Department of Consumer Protection is reminding the public to celebrate safely this Halloween season.

We don't mean to scare you but the United States Consumer Protection Safety Commission estimates that an average of 3,600 Halloween-related injuries are treated in hospitals every year, including trips, allergic reactions to costumes, and pumpkin carving accidents.

"Whether you're having a gourd time trick-or-treating with your pumpkin patch, hanging out at home with your broommates, or attending a monster mash with your boo, let's make sure Halloween is skele-fun this year and not a blood bath," said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. "You might be thinking, 'witch, don't kill my vibe,' but I'm dead serious. From the costumes we buy to the way we decorate our yards, there are potential risks families should be aware of. However you choose to celebrate this year, we hope that you are making smart choices for yourself and those around you."

Don't be a Haunt Mess: Consume Brews Responsibly

• Halloween falls on a Saturday this year so families should expect more drivers on the road while they trick-or-treat. Before heading out, remind children to stay on the sidewalk, stick with the group, and to be in eyesight of a nearby adult.
• Likewise, drivers must be attentive and careful while driving through neighborhoods. If you choose to consume alcohol, cannabis or other intoxicants to celebrate Halloween, be sure to utilize public transportation, ride share services or have a designated driver.

Pick a Fa-Boo-Lous Fit: Costume Safety

• Choosing a costume: Pick a costume that is comfortable and fits well. A costume that is too big, has baggy sleeves, large capes, and long skirts, can trip you or others around you.
• Do a walkaround in costume: Ask your child to try on their costume and walk around the house to see if anything hangs, drags, or falls into their face. If so, tie or secure any loose items to prevent tripping or disrupting the child's vision. If they are wearing a mask, check that it provides adequate ventilation.
• Look for flame-resistant materials: Make sure that costumes, beards, wigs, and masks are made of flame-resistant materials, such as polyester or nylon. This offers some protection against a lit pumpkin or candle, but individuals should always be aware of their surroundings.
• Test costume makeup in advance: If you plan to wear costume makeup, test it out at least a week in advance by placing a small amount on your arm. If you develop a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation around the applied area - that's a sign of an allergic reaction.
• Add reflective tape: Before heading out, addreflective tape to any dark-colored costumes or onto treat bags. Drop a flashlight into the treat bag to help with visibility.

Gourd Vibes Only: Decoration Safety

• Use battery-operated candles: When in doubt, use battery-powered candles in your pumpkins and displays. This prevents someone or something from accidentally brushing across an open flame.
• Remove potential obstacles:To avoid accidental trips or falls, remove any obstacles from your yard, front steps, and porches to create a safe entrance for trick-or-treaters. Homeowners may have pumpkins or wires plugged in for inflatables that can be hard to see at night.
• Check that decorative lights are safe: Before plugging in any decorative lights, check for any broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out any damaged sets.
  • If the lights have a UL or ETL on the label, it means they were tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
• Leave pumpkin carving to the adults: Adults should utilize the carving kits, instead of the kitchen knife. Children helpers can help draw the design or scoop out the pumpkin seeds. #squashgoals

Bone-Appetit: Food Safety

• Eat carved pumpkin within 2 hours: If exposed to room temperature, do not eat carved pumpkin that has been left out for more than 2 hours. To roast pumpkin seeds, wash and dry thoroughly and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Since pumpkins are low acid and dense, consumers should avoid canning pumpkin at home.
• Party foods should remain chilled until serving time: Be a ghostess with the mostess and remember that perishable foods such as finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, and desserts should remain chilled until serving time. Bacteria will grow if perishable goodies are out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.
• Homemade treats during trick-or-treating: If you visit a house that gives out homemade treats, we don't recommend consuming them if they came from a stranger. Likewise, we don't recommend giving out homemade treats to trick-or-treaters. Packaged candy is the best option. Pencils and stickers are popular non-edible treats. Dentists can get away with toothbrushes, too.
• Inspect candy at home: Before eating treats, parents should check for potential allergies and any signs of tampering. Throw out treats if packages look unusual, discolored, or have tears or pinholes.

Watch Out for Tricks: Avoid Scams

• Consumers looking for last-minute costumes or decorations should be cautious of online shopping scams. Scammers will create fraudulent websites with discounted items to entice shoppers, most often through social media advertisements. To avoid an online shopping scam, consumers should use trusted online retailers or shop in person.

To file a complaint, contact the Department of Consumer Protection by emailing [email protected] or visit www.ct.gov/DCP/complaints.