Halloween is almost upon us, and if you have children, that means time for trick-or-treating. While trick-or-treating is an inherently safe activity, here are five easy extra steps you can take to ensure everyone has a great time, and that you don’t spend the evening worrying.

Safety in numbers. If you’re going trick-or-treating along with your child then this doesn’t apply, but older kids want to roam the neighborhood with their friends. Make sure your child will be in a group that will travel together, and that these are children that both you and your child know and trust.

Know where your child is going. Find out the route your child wants to take trick-or-treating, so you can foresee any problems that might arise. Establish clear neighborhood boundaries so that your child doesn’t get swept up in the excitement and end up too far from home.

Use extra caution with streets. Children aren’t the only ones who celebrate Halloween. Plenty of adults do, too, and unfortunately some of them take the wheel when they should be taking a cab. Have a talk with your child about using extra care when crossing streets, and tell them not to assume anything with approaching cars.

Use a light, if needed. If your child’s costume is very dark (or even if it isn’t) you can add some extra visibility by clipping a bike light on the back of it. If your child doesn’t like this idea, you can compromise that they have to use the light when nearing a street.

Stay in contact. If you are your child’s contact should they need anything, then make sure to keep your phone with you. If you are going out and they are under someone else’s care, make sure that person is within easy reach. This way if plans change for your child, or they have a question, you can help them out. All too often children make unwise or unsafe choices because they couldn’t reach an adult.

Above all make sure to have fun!

  Many of our customers have taken CPR courses before, and they often wonder why they are required to re-certify every two years. One reason being that the majority of us simply do not use the skill that often, and it is easy to forget the exact protocol. It never hurts to have a refresher. But, the main reason is that the American Heart Association along with other groups are routinely analyzing CPR data and survey results. Often, this leads to slight changes in technique in an attempt to make the use of CPR more effective.


    If you have taken an AHA CPR course before, then the main change you will notice is in the sequence. Before, you probably leaned that the correct sequence was ABC (A: open the airway, B: give breaths, and C: compressions). However, now the sequence has been changed to CAB. The reason behind this is due the fact that research has concluded compressions are the most effective when given as early as possible.

    Additional research indicates that compressions alone may be the most effective mechanism in CPR. Often, in the “layman” CPR classes, we stress the benefits of hands-only CPR. Even if you think you know it perfectly, it’s easy to lose yourself in an emergency situation. If you forget the exact ratio, or are not immediately comfortable with mouth-to-mouth, then it’s best to go ahead put your hands in the middle of the chest, and “start pumping hard and fast.”  This way, by jumping in with compressions, you are automatically having a positive effect on the victim’s survival chances.


    Far too often, people who know CPR freeze and panic. This change in the sequence is not only more effective, but it is an effort to get people to respond, and for them to realize that their actions can only help. Attempting to do something is always better than regretting that you stood by and did nothing. 

If you would like to take a CPR class give us a call at (503) 538-2610