Halloween should be spooky, not dangerous. Here are some tips for keeping yourself and those around you safe this fall:
Know where your candy comes from and only hand out store-bought treats.
We’ve heard this advice since childhood, but it’s worth repeating: don’t give out homemade or unwrapped edible treats to trick-or-treaters and avoid anything homemade unless you know and trust the person who made it. Candy can be tampered with – when in doubt, throw it out.
Don’t go out alone.
For many UI students, this one’s easy. Most already plan to go out with friends, including freshman Sawyer Carlson. “I might dress up and, I don’t know, just hang out with friends. So, we’ve got each other’s backs,” Carlson said.
Freshman Sara Belen has a similar plan. “For Halloween, I’m going out with my friends, and the way we’re going to be safe is by using the buddy system and checking on each other throughout the night,” Belen said.
At the very least, make sure someone knows where you are and who you’re with. If you plan to hit the town, it’s even more important to celebrate with people you trust and keep others informed of your whereabouts, especially if alcohol or drugs are involved. Which brings us to the next point:
Follow guidelines for safe alcohol consumption.
If you plan on drinking, pace yourself. Avoid mixing different kinds of alcohol and be mindful of how much you’ve consumed. While drinking, always watch your drink and your surroundings and only drink with people you trust.
If you’re far from home, ensure you have a designated driver or can call a driver to get home safely. We’ve all heard advice on responsible drinking, but it’s always important – especially during Halloween celebrations.
Stay in well-lit areas.
Stick to well-lit streets and areas lined with businesses. These spaces are designed to accommodate people at night and increase visibility for drivers and others, which helps reduce the risk of accidents or crime.
Staying on well-lit streets makes you more visible to vehicles and other people and your increased situational awareness acts as a deterrent against crime.
Choose costumes that don’t restrict movement or vision.
Costumes are fun, but impractical costumes, such as masks, capes and shoes that are difficult to walk in can significantly increase your risk of injury. These items are still fine to incorporate for pictures, but you may want to rethink spending your entire evening in them.
Keep your phone charged.
In the modern age, going out with a charged phone is crucial. In an emergency, it’s often the easiest way to contact emergency services. Calling emergency services is always appropriate once you’re out of harm’s way, whether responding to a fire, overdose, or overconsumption.
It’s also a great way to keep in contact with friends and ensure you don’t get lost. Making sure your phone is charged is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your safety.
College students hear safety tips all the time, but this Halloween, nothing changes. Enjoy the celebrations but be mindful of yourself and others, so everyone can have a fun, safe and spooky Halloween!
Cal Torres can be reached at [email protected]