Seasonal Safety

For many of us, the approach of October means several things; foliage, warmer clothes, football, and pumpkin spice…EVERYTHING!  But once upon a time it meant one thing above all others-HALLOWEEN CANDY! Whether you have kids of your own to escort from door to door, costume parties to attend with friends, or simply have to navigate the massive candy section that recently sprung up out of nowhere at your local grocery store, Halloween has an impact on all of our lives.  Hopefully, that impact is fun and positive.  To keep it that way, let’s review some basic guidelines for enjoying the holiday safely.

• Visibility: If you are out on a trick or treating excursion, bring flash lights and reflective material.  Even if it clashes with that perfectly designed costume, it will be worth it to make sure vehicles can see you, and you can see where you are going.
• Safety in numbers: Whether walking a candy route or attending a party, stick together.  The mass of costumed strangers and manufactured spookiness can easily contribute to disorientation.  It is a good idea to have some familiar and trustworthy faces around to rely on, no matter what kind of event you are attending.
• Inspect candy: If you are involved in a Trick-Or-Treating outing, remember to inspect your bounty before anyone indulges. Candy should be in a sealed wrapper with no punctures or
• Go flameless: Jack-O-Lanterns are a popular decoration this time of year. Swap out the traditional wax and wick candle for an electric, battery powered one.  This will reduce the likelihood of your front porch scarecrow from going up in flames.  And as an added bonus, the lighting is more reliable, since a gust of wind won’t extinguish an electric light.
• Eat slowly: Even the most dedicate chocolate lovers among us can still fall victim to a stomach ache.

Remember, being safe and having fun are not mutually exclusive activities.  Use common sense this fall, and have a good time!

This post is part of the ‘Safety Matters’ series – an effort to increase employee engagement in Safety Practices at Bridgewell.