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Over 2000 U.S. kids get lost every day. 1
  • Less than 10% are reported to any authority. 2
  • 90% of families will experience losing a child in a public place. 20% have lost a child more than once. 2
  • 95% will forever remember the trauma of getting lost. 2
  • Parents rank losing a child 5 times more concerning to them than terrorism and 3 times more concerning than abduction. 2
  • Kids get lost most often in malls and stores (45%) 2
  • 27% of families that visit an amusement park lose a child while they are there. That's nearly 1 in 3! 3
  • Only 9% of parents put some form of safe ID on their children. 2
  • 76% of parents want to know what to do to prevent a child from getting lost. 2

Sources:
1 NISMART2: National Incident Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children. U.S. Department of Justice. October 2002.
2 Wander Wear Inc. parent survey, September 2006.
3 IntiMetrix study, 2002.

 
Any time you go out..... whether just a quick trip to the store or perhaps a day trip somewhere, take a picture of your child with your phone camera (if you have one).  This will give you a current photo that will also show the clothing your child is wearing in case your child gets lost.

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Don't Frankenstein Your Lights
Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Also, be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage. Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked-up with metal nails or staples.

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Inspect Decorations with Fiendish Care
Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Look for a red UL mark to indicate that lights are certified for both indoor and outdoor use. A green UL mark indicates certification for indoor use only.

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Beware of Candles!
Candles, especially in a Jack O'Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children's reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.

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Don't Trip Up Your Goblins
Halloween costumes should allow full movement for your kids. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don't restrict your children's vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

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Say Boo! to Unsafe Costumes
Be sure to purchase or make costumes out of flame-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester as these specially marked fabrics will resist burning and extinguish quickly. Make sure your child knows to stop, drop and roll in case their costume catches fire.

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Be Safe and Bright
Choose costumes that are lighter in color and attach reflective materials to costumes. Make sure each child has a flashlight to help them see and be seen.

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Keep Hungry Monsters from Feeding
Never let your kids eat Halloween candy before you inspect it in the light at home. Even if you know your neighbors, you should always check to be safe and throw away open candy or anything that looks at all suspicious.

 

Tips for your home to keep it and the visiting goblins safe.

 

1. Make the outside of your house a safe place for trick or treaters to roam. Pick up branches, rocks and other debris from your front yard, walkway, and steps. Remove flowerpots, yard ornaments, hoses, and any other outdoor accessories that can easily tip or cause people to trip.

2. Use strings of Christmas lights to illuminate the walkway and front door. Afraid the bulbs will be broken or removed in fits of Halloween mischief ? Try rope lights instead. Just make sure the ropes are secured in place so they don't fall and become a tripping hazard.

3. Decorate the front of house with harmlessly hair-raising props. Refrain from using real household items like shovels, pitchforks, or heavy buckets for authenticity's sake. Obviously fake, rubber-tipped items are the safest way to go. What you lose in authenticity you can make up for in creativity!

4. Put pets in the basement of bedroom before trick or treaters begin to arrive. Even friendly pets can become agitated with all those new visitors