Media contact: Sarah Martin
Regional Communications Manager
sarah.martin5@redcross.org | 951-432-9625
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 27, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Utah is teaming up with Thanksgiving Point this Halloween season to urge parents to make their children's costumes are as safe as possible. While trick-or-treating is intended to be a fun and spooky experience, it should never pose any danger to children in pursuit of candy. A few minor adjustments to costumes can significantly enhance safety.
Heidi Ruster, CEO of the Utah Region of the American Red Cross, stated, “While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of Halloween, we must take a moment to ensure our children's costumes and trick-or-treating routes are safe. This helps to prevent any potentially serious incidents. We are thrilled to partner with Thanksgiving Point to emphasize the importance of prioritizing safety to ensure a fun-filled Halloween.”
“Thanksgiving Point is always looking for ways to bring joy and entertainment to Utah’s youth,” said Thanksgiving Point Chief Marketing Officer Erica Brown. “One of the best ways to guarantee fun for kids this Halloween is by ensuring their safety. We are always grateful to organizations like the American Red Cross of Utah for providing important safety tips for kids as they prepare for trick-or-treating.”
Costume Safety Tips:
• Enhance visibility: Provide children with flashlights to guide their way and consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for better visibility.
• Consider face paint instead of masks: Masks can potentially cause respiratory issues and limit visibility. Face paint serves as a safer alternative.
• Choose flame-retardant costumes: Given that many people use ground-level candles for Halloween decorations, it's crucial to select costumes made of flame-retardant fabric. Treat even candles in carved pumpkins with caution.
Download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to expert advice in case your ghost, goblin or superhero has a mishap. Use the Emergency app for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
About Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point is a community-owned nonprofit with the mission to bring the joy of learning and the wonders of the natural world to life through world-class experiences that engage, delight, and inspire. Created in 1995 by Alan and Karen Ashton, Thanksgiving Point is a center of community engagement and welcomes more than two million annual visitors to visit, dine, play, and explore together. Thanksgiving Point is located at 3003 North Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, Utah. For more information, call 801.768.2300 or visit thanksgivingpoint.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.