 "Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for
children, but it also can be one of the most dangerous," Dr. Arnold
said. "Parents should participate in their children's fun. Supervise
young kids and remind them of safety lessons such as looking both
ways before crossing the street. Always make sure to check treats
before allowing children to eat them."According to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four times as many
children age 5 to 14 years of age are killed on Halloween evening
compared with any other night of the year because of falls, being
hit by a vehicle or other accidents.
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 should be made of light-colored material and include reflective
tape.
To ensure a safe Halloween, Arnold 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, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Dispose of
anything that looks suspicious.
Costumes
-
Should be 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.
Parents should also…
-
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 youths.
[to top of second column] |
Children should…
-
Bring treats home
before eating them so parents can inspect them.
-
Not enter homes or
apartments without adult supervision.
-
Walk, 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. Only go 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.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
 |
