Newswise — Keep "trick-or-treaters" safe this Halloween! Parents may be surprised to learn, twice as many children are fatally injured while walking on Halloween as compared to any other day of the year. It is up to parents and drivers to ensure that children stay safe and away from emergency rooms on Halloween. It is important for parents to emphasize safe pedestrian behaviors before trick-or-treating and to remember to make certain that costumes are both creative and safe.
Drivers should be aware of the increase in pedestrian traffic during Halloween and slow down and watch out for trick-or-treaters, especially around crosswalks and driveways.
Here are several other tips for parents to help keep their children safe this Halloween:
• Select costumes made from flame-retardant fabric and short enough so kids won't trip. • Decorate costumes with reflective tape for greater visibility at night. • Use hypo-allergenic make-up rather than masks, and don't use props that could harm the eye.• Younger children should be accompanied by an adult, and older children should trick-or-treat in groups. • Only trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit.• Remind "trick-or-treaters" to watch for traffic, carry a flashlight. • Avoid sampling goodies until you've inspected them.
Erin Whitton, manager, injury prevention and community outreach, ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital; and coordinator, Safe Kids Greater Toledo, is a frequent media commentator on issues of child safety and injury prevention, such as child safety in and around cars, fireworks safety, fire and burn safety, and water safety.
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