Help prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat fest. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common-sense practices can keep things safer and more fun, too.
• Walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don't hide between parked cars, and don't use them as a launching pad for crossing the street.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible (hmm, no Ninja costumes this year...). And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms.
• Plan the trick-or-treat route and make sure the whole family knows it. If possible, have an adult go along.
• Carry a flashlight.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Visit only homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.[[In-content Ad]]
