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Conjure Up Some Halloween Safety!
Tips for Safe and Happy Trick-or-Treating

Look out behind you: here comes Halloween! On this most magical of holidays, young imaginations take wing...as ordinary children are transformed into all kinds of wild, wacky, and whimsical characters.

But Halloween has its dark side, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids are four times as likely to be hit by a car on October 31st. Falls, not surprisingly, are another a leading cause of injuries. So while you prepare your little trick-or-treater for the big night, take some simple precautions.

The Safety-Conscious Costume
Halloween is your child's chance to "be" anyone he or she wants-within reason. Here are a few costume guidelines:

• Shorten overly-long skirts, capes, tails, and anything else that trails on the ground. Little tricker-or-treaters are encouraged to glide, pounce, and slither...but not trip over their costumes!
• Make sure your little goblin is visible after dark. Fix reflective striping to his costume or treat bag, or make sure he's carrying a flashlight or illuminated light stick.
• Don't allow your child to wear adult shoes-it's a tripping hazard. She'll still be a regal princess without your high-heels.
• Beware of masks that limit visibility. If your child is wearing a mask, see that it fits well, offers adequate ventilation, and provides good visibility.
• Face paint is a good alternative for young revelers, but make sure it's non-toxic, laboratory tested, and meets all federal standards for cosmetics.
• Secure hats and scarves so they won't slip down over your child's eyes.
• Kids love props, but if your child is carrying a broomstick or sword, make sure it's made of cardboard or flexible rubber. Avoid anything with sharp edges.
• Choose a costume that's suitable for the weather.
• Dressing up baby? Beware of loose strings and overly-warm costumes. (A festive costume bunting makes a cute, comfy, fuss-proof costume.)

13 Rules for Trick-or-Treaters
The single safest thing you can do is to accompany your child on his rounds. But at some point, growing adventurers will want to ramble off with their friends. It's up to you to determine when your child is ready. And before your child steps out the door, make sure he knows all the rules of the road.

1. There is safety in numbers. Kids should always travel with a group; never let your child go off alone.
2. Review your child's route beforehand. Limit her territory to familiar streets, and make it very clear if certain areas or houses are off-limits.
3. Have your trick-or -treater carry your cell phone and wear a watch. Arrange to touch base at regular intervals.
4. Emphasize that your child should stay out of the street and use the sidewalk.
5. No sidewalk? Then march right next to the curb on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
6. Eager trick-or-treaters often choose the shortest route over the safest one. Remind your child to cross only at corners.
7. Be sure to look both ways (left-right-left) before launching across the street.
8. Riding a bike or skateboard is not a good idea. Period.
9. Tell your child to be polite but cautious around neighbors they haven't met.
10. Kids should never enter a stranger's home or car.
11. Beware of black cats-and other nocturnal critters. Advise your child not to approach pets she doesn't know.
12. This one is never popular...but children should not eat their treats until you inspect them.
13. Establish a curfew so you know when to expect your child.

Candy Cautions

• Although food tampering is rare, inspect all your child's candy right away. Discard treats with loose wrappings, or anything that doesn't look quite right. Better safe than sorry!
• Ditto for homemade treats, unless you're friendly with the baker.
• Be extra careful with toddler's goodies. Remove all choking hazards or treats that are age-inappropriate-including hard candy and toys with small parts. (To avoid protests, you may wish to keep a surprise substitution on hand.)
• Set rules regarding candy consumption in the days to come.

Spook-Proof Your Yard
Make sure the path is safe when trick-or-treaters come calling:

• Clear your walk and lawn of hoses, flowerpots, branches, and other obstacles.
• Rake wet leaves out of the way.
• Turn on all outdoor lighting.
• If your lawn decorations include use of extension cords, make sure they're not located in high-traffic areas.
• Confine your pets; the evening's excitement can make even friendly animals nervous.

A Word About Jack o' Lanterns
Carving and decorating pumpkins can be a wonderful family activity, if you approach it wisely.

• Never let young children near carving tools. Non-toxic paint, stickers, and push-in lights are safe decorating alternatives. Or let your child draw the face on the pumpkin; you do the carving.
• When permitting older children to carve, always supervise closely. Work on a flat, tip-proof surface in a well-lit room. Don't let your child use adult kitchen knives-supply safer, kid-size tools created specifically for this purpose.
• Instead of candles, illuminate your jack o' lantern with a safe, battery-operated alternative.

If you exercise caution and use common sense, your child will have a safe, BOO-tiful Halloween.