It's that time of year again - all the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will be running rampant on the sidewalks of neighborhoods across the country in just a few days. Do you "do" Halloween? I confess I would prefer not to. I've tried to keep things on the quieter side, but may yet give in for a little "trunk or treating" this year since my daughter is only six - still in that age where Halloween is a scary kind of fun. Having spent plenty of time in retail handing out candy on the store lease line, I have to say that heading to the mall is the first idea that comes to my mind. After all, it's fairly safe and you're out of the weather if it gets nasty!
Want some tips for keeping safe (and safe from liability) at home and at the office? Read on.
- Those of you who work in banks are very familiar with the rule that persons wearing masks are unable to enter banks - for the obvious reasons. However, if you work in an office with any sort of money handling or other security risk issues, it's a wise idea to post notices (and a security guard) at the entries to your business stating that any masks, wigs, etc must be removed before seeking services. (If anybody wonders aloud why, remind them of the bank issue - if someone does something crazy, you need to be able to identify them! This is a safety issue for your clients and customers, not just your employees.)
- Handing out goodies from a shop or office? Make sure walkways are clear of debris or other tripping factors like rugs that are coming up, etc. Same things go for the homefront. You don't want the liability in today's "sue everybody" society if Little Suzy trips on the extension cord to the weed whacker you forgot to put away.
- Are the lights on? Make sure walkways, corridors, and the like are well-lit. This is not only a liability issue but a safety issue for employees coming and going on a night infamous for rowdiness and potential crimes.
- Leaving the office late? Make sure you leave as a group - let no Workerette go unescorted. Honestly this is a good idea any time of year - but again, the news stories are often filled with ghoulish tales of crimes against folks out on the town on Halloween.
- Hosting a party? Keep it dry, or make sure you're collecting keys or calling cabs. You don't want a staffer behind the wheel after too much of the spiked punch Dracula in Accounting provided.
- Hosting kiddos? Make sure adults doing the drop-off and pick-ups really are who they say they are. The last thing you want is to realize you didn't recognize the person the neighbor's son left with! Even if it really is them in costume, it could give you the wrong kind of scare.
- Flashlights, flashlights, flashlights. Need I say more? I think every trick-or-treater knows they need to be well-lit so drivers can see 'em. Drill it into their heads - it could save a life.
What safety tips do you Workerettes make use of this time of year? Do you hand out candy at work or have you decided it's too risky with past poisonings and bag snatching stories? If you're out and about on the 31st, be safe and have fun! I may well be that mom in the "This IS My Halloween Costume" t-shirt. *chuckle*
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