HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof, the eye holes should be large enough for good side vision. Wear flame retardant costumes. Make sure your Halloween costume is colorfast so the color doesn't run onto your other clothes if it rains. Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering. Apply reflective tape to your Halloween costumes. Avoid cumbersome masks. Use make-up instead. Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Wear comfortable, practical shoes. Double tie your shoelaces so you don't trip. Keep your costume and wig away from candles. If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids costumes won't accidentally be set on fire. Better yet, use flashlights inside the jack-o-lanterns instead.

Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Don't carry fake swords, guns, knives or similar accessories that look authentic. Make sure they're flexible and cannot harm anyone.

Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer, although you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them. Another alternative is painting the pumpkin instead of carving. This has an added advantage of allowing the Jack-o-lantern to last longer and, if you plan on cooking the pumpkin after, it isn’t dried out.

Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.

Trick-or-Treating Tips:

Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark. Take along money for a phone call. Wear identification that's easy to read. Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult. Follow a curfew and take a watch with a backlight. Plan your route ahead of time. Stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks. Walk. No running. Don't trample through flower beds and gardens. Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods. Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings. Only visit well lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Don't enter any houses unless you know the people. Carry a spare Halloween bag -- in case yours breaks or you fill your original one. Don't approach unfamiliar pets and animals. Don't cut across yards and stay out of back yards. Follow traffic signals and don't jaywalk. Always watch for cars backing up or turning. Review the "stop, drop and roll" procedure in case your costume catches on fire. Never accept rides from strangers. Respect other people and their property. Be polite and say "thank you." Don't eat any candy until it's inspected for tampering under bright lights. Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade. Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.

Practicing practical safety measures will help insure a fun Holiday. Consider having a party instead of Trick or Treating.