Halloween Safety Tips

MOTORISTS

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The National Safety Council urges motorists to be especially alert on Halloween.

* Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

* Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

* Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

* At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

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.

ACCESSORIES

* Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

* Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.

* Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

ON THE WAY

Children should understand and follow these rules:

* Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.

* Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.

* Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.

* Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

TREATS

To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to:

* Give children an early meal before going out.

* Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

* Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.

* When in doubt, throw it out.