Safety tips take on new urgency this Halloween

Advertiser Staff and News Services

In addition, those overly worried about the possibility of malicious harm may be overlooking a more real threat: traffic. A study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that from 1975 to 1996, the number of deaths among young pedestrians was four times higher on Halloween compared with the same time during all other evenings.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations have issued reminders for keeping children safe:

• Remind children of all ages to use sidewalks, look both ways before crossing a street, cross only at crosswalks or corners, avoid darting out between parked cars, and cover one side of the street at a time — no "criss-crossing."

• Exercise extreme caution when you drive, watching for excited children who may dart into traffic.

• Provide close parental supervision to children at least through age 12. Parents should carefully choose houses their children visit. They should go only to houses where outside lights are on. Children should know to never enter a stranger's home or car.

• If teens go out on their own, parents should know what neighborhoods the teens will visit, have them stay in a group, let them know what time to be home and either have them carry a phone or give them change to use a pay phone if necessary.

• Use only costumes, masks, beards and wigs made of flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "flame-resistant." Avoid costumes made with flimsy materials, big baggy sleeves or skirts that could fall upon open flames.

• Make sure costumes and bags are bright and easily visible to motorists. Add reflective tape that will glow in a car's headlights. Have children carry flashlights.

• Costumes should not drag on the ground, and shoes should fit well — no oversized high heels. Accessories such as swords or knives should be made of soft, flexible material. Masks, hats and scarves should fit well and provide adequate ventilation without obstructing vision.

• Remove anything that visiting trick-or-treaters can trip over, such as garden hoses and lawn decorations. Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs. Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and the path of trick-or-treaters.

• Make sure lights have been tested for safety. Discard damaged sets and don't overload extension cords.

• Inspect treats before letting kids eat anything, and discard any unpackaged items or candies with loose or torn wrappings.

• Make sure toys received by young trick-or-treaters are not choking hazards.

• Consider labeling treats from your home with a tag — "from the Chungs," for example. That way, other families will know where the treats came from.