SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 NEWS) - Kids are four times more likely to get hit by a car on Halloween than any other day! Using safety tips and common sense can help you make the most of your night of fright!
Here are some tricks to treat your little ghosts and goblins to a safe celebration.
Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility. Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet. Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider using makeup instead.When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant. Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If you use one make sure they are soft and flexible to prevent injury. Take along flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. Glow sticks are also fun for kids. Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes. This is also a great time to replace all the batteries at home in your smoke detectors.Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Review with your children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire. Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time. Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
