|
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
four times as many children ages 5 to 14 are killed on Halloween
evening than on any other night of the year because of falls, being
hit by a vehicle or other accidents. "Parents and
trick-or-treaters need to follow some simple, common-sense safety
tips to ensure this is a fun and safe holiday," said Dr. Eric E.
Whitaker, state public health director. "Kids are excited and may
forget to be careful, so parents should be there to supervise young
children and remind them of safety lessons such as looking both ways
before crossing the street."
Parents should also make sure their child's costume is safe.
Children should be able to walk, see and be seen in their costumes.
The costume should be short enough to prevent tripping and falling
and be made of light-colored material and include reflective tape.
To ensure a safe Halloween, Whitaker suggests the following tips
for parents, children, motorists and homeowners:
Treats
-
Parents should
inspect all treats and throw away any unwrapped or loosely
wrapped items.
-
Homemade items or
baked goods should be discarded unless you personally know who
gave them.
-
Parents of young
children should remove any choking hazards, such as gum,
peanuts, hard candies and small toys.
-
Inspect
commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an
unusual appearance or discoloration, pinholes or tears in
wrappers. Dispose of anything that looks suspicious.
Costumes
-
Choose costumes
that are bright, reflective and flame-retardant.
-
Use face paint
instead of masks, which can interfere with a child's vision; or
wear masks that are well-fitting, with eye- and ear-holes that
do not obscure sight or hearing.
-
To reduce the
likelihood of tripping, children should not wear long, baggy, or
loose costumes or oversized shoes.
-
Children's name,
address and telephone number should be attached to their
clothing.
-
Accessories should
be flexible and made of soft material, not sharp or pointed.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Parents also should…
-
Supervise children
younger than 12 years of age.
-
Not send children
out on an empty stomach. You don't want kids munching on treats
before there is a chance to inspect them.
-
Plan a
trick-or-treating route in a known neighborhood and set a return
time.
-
Make sure children
know their phone number.
-
Establish a curfew
for older youth.
Children should…
-
Bring treats home
before eating them so parents can inspect them.
-
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.
-
Not ride bicycles,
which could catch costumes in the chains and spokes.
-
Travel in groups
when adult supervision is not provided.
-
Use flashlights and
look both ways before crossing the street.
-
Stay on sidewalks,
not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left
side of the road, facing traffic.
-
Not cross the
street between parked cars.
-
Go to familiar
neighborhoods. Go only to well-lit houses, and remain outside
while waiting for treats.
-
Not accept rides
from strangers.
Motorists should…
-
Slow down,
especially in residential areas.
-
Enter and exit
driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully.
-
Obey all traffic
signs and signals.
-
Watch for children
darting out from between parked cars.
-
Use child safety
seats or seat belts when driving children around. Have children
get out of cars on the curb side.
Homeowners should…
-
Turn on an outside
light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.
-
Clear walkways and
yards.
-
Keep dogs and other
animals inside and away from the door.
[Illinois
Department of Public Health news release] |
