Every year you read at least one article concerning an accident that is Halloween related. Taking a few precautions before hand may help lessen the chance of your child having a Halloween mishap. Halloween safety starts with a safe costume. Also, don't forget your house-bound friends, if you are taking your kids out for Halloween, take them to see a house-bound friend & take a small goody bag. Your friend will appreciate and enjoy.

What To Look For In A Costume

• Fire retardant.
  
• Comfort - not too long, big or baggy, child may trip and fall.
  
• Bright or iridescent colors or reflective tape so motorists can see child.
  
• A good fitting mask so it won't slide over child's eyes and obstruct his vision. Or instead of a mask, use mommy's make up to paint a mask on child's face.
  
• No toy weapons with sharp points or edges. No realistic toy weapons.
  

Make Sure Your Little Ones Have Some Halloween 'Stay Safe' Rules If They Do Go Out.

Parents make sure you know your neighbors, for children the following:

• stay in the neighborhood.
  
• stay at the front door when trick or treating. There should be no need to enter a home for a treat.
  
• walk with other neighborhood children. There is safety in numbers.
  
• do not to eat any treats until he/she gets home and shows them to you.
  

Door-to-door Neighborhood Safety Checkpoints.

• For safety, recruit a parent to walk with the children.
  
• If possible, have a list of the neighbors your child will visit.
  
• Put an inexpensive flashlight in your child's 'goody bag', it may come in handy.
  
• Tuck or pin an identification card somewhere on your child's costume. It should have your name, address and telephone number listed.
  

An alternative to having kids go out trick or treating is a home or a community group party. If you are not having a home party, check out your local church, library, police department or civic associations to see if they are having any Halloween events.

These may seem like a lot of precautions for an evening of Halloween fun but precautions must change with the times. Don't frighten your children unnecessarily with do's and don'ts but do remember - Safety first.

For more information concerning Halloween safety, visit U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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