Over the last few years, Halloween’s popularity has skyrocketed in the workplace. Businesses often use the holiday to scare up customers, display good will in the community and shake up the daily work routine for employees. But that’s no time to relax safety measures. Instead, implementing adult Halloween safety training tips for your organization is key to avoiding the unexpected and maintaining your company’s reputation and standard of excellence.
Organizations within a confined business district often coordinate to offer trick-or-treating opportunities for children within the community. Sometimes, this includes providing participants with a game card they get marked by the organization, with completed cards qualifying for door prizes. To ensure the safety of all involved, here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Young children visiting your organization should always be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult proving authorization to be with the child.
• Make sure your coordination efforts include a route that includes a designated starting and stopping point, with an order of stops mandated for visitors to receive treats and prizes, no matter what their age. With that, make sure the route is appropriately lit and staffed with vetted security.
• Make sure parents instruct their children to only visit the organizations listed in the event and that they should never enter a home or vehicle for a treat or prize.
• Your publicity of the event should advise the public that costumes should fit properly and won’t impede the child or adult wearing it from their normal range of motion. It should also include advisement that visitors should wear comfortable, appropriate footwear that won’t cause tripping. In addition, it needs to advise parents to add glow sticks or reflective tape to visitors’ costumes and to carry a flashlight so they stand out in traffic, lessening the danger of their getting run over while making their way to or from the event.
In addition to hosting neighborhood youth for goody giving, your organization may also celebrate Halloween with a costume party for employees, either during the workday or after hours. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, take some precautionary measures.
• Remind your employees that celebrating sensibly includes being aware of their surroundings, drinking only in moderation, and always have a designated driver if drinking, as well as watching for pedestrians of all ages when making their way to and from the party, as foot traffic is always heavier on Halloween.
• Before the party, ensure decorations present no obstructions. As with the regular office environment, cords and other loose objects located on the floor should be taped down. Make sure they’re also illuminated with signage and tape that reflects or glows, calling attention to the possible obstruction.
This same concept applies to decorations hung on walls or from the ceiling. They should be clear of people’s heads and appendages.
Plus, all decor should be compliant with fire and safety regulations. The last thing you want is a party to turn into a life-threatening emergency.
• Make sure you know the room capacity of your party’s venue — and stick to it. This will go a long way toward preventing disaster.
• Taking measures to ensure everyone’s safety is the best way to ensure your organization’s Halloween celebration stays fun for all.
• Make sure emergency alarm systems are intact and working properly and have a plan in place for any emergency that could occur during the event.
Implementing adult Halloween safety training tips for your organization is the best way to keep the fun from turning to fright.Feel free to contact our IMPROV® Learning team any time to help assist you in implementing a safety culture for Halloween, the holidays or a regular work week.
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