Trick or Treat: Halloween Safety

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LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  A parade of Transformers, zombies and princesses will be prowling the streets of base housing in search of Halloween treats from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Halloween is a fun tradition, but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. There is no real trick to making Halloween a real treat for the entire family according to base safety officials. The major dangers of the holiday aren't from ghosts or goblins but from falls and pedestrians being hit by cars. Children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe to keep from being a true horror story.

The National Safety Council urges motorists to be especially alert on Halloween. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents play a vital role in keeping their children safe. Before children start out on their "trick or treat" rounds, parents should:

1. Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will supervise the outing for children under age 12.
2. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.
3. Know the names of older children's companions.
4. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route and establish a return time.
5. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
6. Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
7. Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
8. Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Costume Design

When designing a costume, only fire-retardant materials should be used. Costumes should also be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath. They shouldn't be so long that they are a tripping hazard; falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials and strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

When designing a costume to be worn on the face, avoid using a mask. Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead. When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Don't allow children to carry sharp objects. Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

Children should understand and follow these rules:
1. Don't enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
2. Walk, do not run, from house to house.
3. Don't cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
4. Walk on sidewalks, not on the street.
5. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to give children an early meal before going out, insist treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten, wash fruit and slice into small pieces and when in doubt, throw it out.

(Courtesy of the Air Force Safety Center)