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Halloween safety keeps holiday fun
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Halloween spooks aren’t the holiday’s real danger, its preventable accidents, according to many organizations offering safety tips this season.
The following safety reminders are from the National Safety Council, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross.
Costumes
The universal theme from all three organizations is to make sure that costumes are bright and reflective.
Costumes and shoes also should fit well to present tripping and entanglement. Falls are the No. 1 cause of Halloween injuries. Flame resistant costumes, wigs and accessories also are a must.
Masks should have large holes for the nose, mouth and eyes. Masks that limit or block vision should be replaced with non-toxic makeup. Check the package for a label that says "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Be sure to follow manufacturer's instruction for application.
Decorative hats also can take the place of a mask. Make sure the hat fits properly and doesn’t slide down over the eyes.
Care also should be taken when selection accessories, such as swords, canes, knives and sticks. Make sure they are not sharp and are constructed from cardboard or another flexible material. Also make sure they aren’t too long or easily tripped over.
Trick-or-treat bags should be light colored or trimmed with reflective tape.
Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the child gets lost.
All dressed up and ready to go
All three organizations also stress that a parent or responsible adult should accompany young trick-or-treaters (age 12 or younger).
Parents should review the route that older children plan to take and agree on a specific time to return home. Know the names of the children’s companions.
Only go to homes in neighborhoods that are familiar and only go to homes with a porch light on and well-lit apartments. Make sure children know they should never enter the home of a stranger.
Remind children to only cross streets at marked crossways and look both ways before crossing. Don’t cross at driveways or from between parked cars.
Children should walk from house to house and use sidewalks when at all possible. Don’t let children cut across lawns or through alleys.
Adults and children should carry a mobile phone if available and instruct children to call 911 if they see any suspicious or unlawful behavior or become lost.
Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries when out after dark.
Now for the treats
Another agreed upon tip is to feed children before hitting the trick-or-treat trail.
Make sure children know not to eat anything before they bring it home for inspection.
Parents should inspect packaging to make sure it’s secure. Fruit should be washed and sliced into little pieces.
Parents shouldn’t hesitate to throw out treats that are unwrapped, spoiled or look suspicious.
Ration treats and save some for another day.
Pumpkin carving
Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.
Tips for adults
The National Safety Council offered several tips to motorists. The most important is to stay alert and watch for children darting out from parked cars and walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
It’s also important to remove items from porches and yards that a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Make sure outdoor lights are working.
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Article published on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007
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