Halloween safety tips

Halloween is a cherished 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.

The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Many communities officially designate a "Beggars' Night" and assign specific hours for trick-or-treat activities.

Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.

Parents:

Before children start out on their "trick or treat" rounds, parents should:

Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.

Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.

Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.

Establish a return time.

Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

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:

Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.

Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.

Costumes should not 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. Strips of retroreflective tape should be used to make children visible.

Face Design:

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.

More Halloween safety tips from the National Safety Council.