Expert stresses costume safety
As the mother of two boys, LaRue Pittman knows that boys have fewer Halloween costumes to choose from each year. As always, said Pittman, girls have a bigger selection of costumes, but generally tend to like the princess-type clothes.
Ka-Cee Vaughan shops for Halloween costumes for her three
children at Fat Man's West on Washington Road in Evans.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"Spider-Man has been a really big seller this year for little boys. And, black ninjas are always popular," said Pittman, an employee at Fat Man's West. "There's no big costume in particular for girls this year. As long as it has lace and some tulle on it, little girls like it."
But it's important to make sure the costume doesn't hamper the fun of the night by being too long to trip up little tykes or too dark to not be seen in the dark.
Rene Hopkins, coordinator of SAFE KIDS of East Central Georgia, will give tips on costume safety and trick-or-treating Thursday at the Martinez and Evans Wal-Marts. Hopkins will give a lecture to parents at the Martinez Wal-Mart from 8 to 9 a.m. and will set up a safety fair booth at the Evans Wal-Mart from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The No. 1 hazard is pedestrian safety due to visibility," said Hopkins. "Visibility for someone wearing blue is 55 feet, red is 80 feet, yellow is 120 feet, white is 180 feet and a thumbnail size reflector is visible for 500 feet."
Hopkins said a car traveling at 60 mph needs at least 260 feet to stop to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
"Reflector, reflector, reflector," emphasized Hopkins, who will be distributing reflectors at the Evans Wal-Mart. Flashlights and reflectors can mean the difference between life and serious injury or death.
Among other Halloween night safety concerns are unsupervised children, yards littered with yard art or having an unlit path and fire hazards.
"It is our responsibility as pedestrians to take our safety into our own hands," said Hopkins. "But parents can help by securing any open flames out of the way of trick-or-treaters and ensuring a good costume fit for their child. That also includes shoes. Make sure the child can move around easily in the costume and secure any lose items on the costume."
Hopkins emphasizes supervision of children younger than 12.
"Normally, children under 10 need to be supervised, but on Halloween night, with all the added excitement, children under 12 need to be accompanied," she said. "Don't overestimate what a child is capable of."