| As the day for trick or treating approaches, the idea of | | | | -Make sure children know their name, phone number |
| safety should be on the minds of all, especially parents | | | | and address and to provide this information to a police |
| of small children. | | | | officer in an emergency or if they are lost. |
| You may not know this, but the United States | | | | -Younger children should have an adult with them while |
| Department of Transportation has issued statistics, | | | | older children should provide their route and when they |
| which demonstrate that the majority of fatal collisions | | | | expect to return. If possible, provide a cell phone for |
| between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under | | | | your children. |
| 15 years of age) happen most frequently between 4 | | | | -Children should only visit homes that have their porch |
| p.m. and 8 p.m. (i.e., during trick or treating hours!) | | | | lights on. |
| Also, 84% of deaths among young pedestrians | | | | -Inspect your children's candy before they eat it. |
| occurred at non-intersection locations (indicating | | | | Although food tampering is rare, it's safest to eat only |
| children are most likely to dart and dash from | | | | those candies that are individually wrapped and not |
| mid-block into the street). | | | | homemade, unless you know the families who have |
| Halloween also sees more than its share of | | | | prepared the homemade treats. |
| automobile accidents because of the number of | | | | -Have flashlights or glowsticks for children and/or for |
| parties that take place (with alcohol being consumed). | | | | the accompanying adult. |
| Shockingly, of all the highway fatalities that take place | | | | -Adults are reminded not to drink alcohol and drive. In |
| on Halloween, approximately two-thirds of them are | | | | fact, it is safest to save the cocktails until after |
| alcohol related. | | | | everyone is safe at home. |
| These are certainly sobering numbers and may have | | | | When selecting costumes for the little ones: |
| you thinking about staying home instead of exposing | | | | -Make sure your child's Halloween costume is made |
| your children to any harm. | | | | with fire retardant materials and has eye holes large |
| However, by exercising some good common sense, | | | | enough for your child to safely see out of. The |
| everything will be just fine. | | | | costume should be short enough so it doesn't interfere |
| After reviewing the previously mentioned statistics, as | | | | with walking. |
| well as a number of websites devoted to Halloween | | | | -If your child carries an accessory, such as a fake |
| safety, I compiled the following list of tips, which I hope | | | | sword, make sure it is made from a flexible material |
| that everyone will follow. | | | | such as rubber, so it cannot injure your child or others. |
| For a safe and enjoyable trick or treating experience, | | | | -Provide a costume that uses bright color or use |
| -Don't let the excitement of Halloween allow your | | | | reflective tape, so your child can be seen clearly by |
| children to ignore the normal safety precautions: look | | | | drivers and other trick-or-treating families. |
| both ways before crossing the street; cross in a | | | | -Consider using makeup on children?s faces instead of |
| crosswalk or at a corner (do not walk into the street | | | | a mask to allow the child to see clearly. |
| between parked cars); walk on the sidewalk; do not | | | | If all of these tips are followed, then everyone will have |
| talk to strangers; do not go into homes or cars of | | | | a much safer and ultimately enjoyable Halloween. |
| people they do not know; and do not approach | | | | Be safe! |
| animals they do not know. | | | | |