Published: October 30, 2009 10:04 am      

Trick-or-treating: Safety first when on candy hunt

The Halloween costume has already been carefully selected and your child is decked out and ready to go. All that’s left is the task of collecting boatloads of candy from neighbors.

But before residents take their children trick-or-treating, the following are some general tips:



Costume safety

• choose a costume made of flame retardant material

• costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause your child to trip and fall

• for good visibility, add some reflective tape to the costume or bag he is using to carry candy or make/choose a costume made of bright material that is visible in the dark

• masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well and not hinder visibility

• if using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic

• knives, swords and other props should be made of a flexible material, so that they don't pose a hazard if fallen on



Trick-or-

Treating safety

• children should be well supervised by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.

• carry a flashlight

• stick to well lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only

— tips provided by keepkidshealthy.com