8 Ghoulishly Good Safety Tips for Halloween

Keep the ghosts, goblins, fairy princesses and happy this Halloween by keeping these safety tips in mind.

1 Dress up with style and safety in mind. Costumes should be bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape to costumes to help motorists see a little monster on the road. Make sure costumes and accessories (wigs, capes, etc) are flame resistant.

2 Try makeup instead of masks. Plastic masks are hot and can interfere with the child's vision. Try non-toxic makeup instead. Be sure to wash it before bed to avoid any skin irritation.

3 Trick or treat safely. Only go to homes with porch lights and never enter a home or car for a treat. responsible adult should always accompany young children. Older children should only walk a pre-approved route and return to pre-arranged time.

4 Staying in a group. Communicate with a group where you will be leaving and carry a cell phone for emergencies and last minute changes.

5 Light path. All walkers should have their own flashlight. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween.

6 Delays eat treats until parents have inspected the spoils. Although tampering is rare, just keep the goodies that are commercially wrapped, intact and no signs of possible tampering. Many candy items can pose a choking hazard. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 41% of choking emergencies in children under14 are caused by food. 19% of all choking related emergency department visits for children are associated with Hard Candy. 12.5% refers to these other kinds of sweets (chocolates, candies, gummy bears, gum, etc.)

7 Fight with caution. Small children should never carve pumpkins and adults should take extreme care. Consider alternatives such as a drawing faces with markers. If carved, candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table away from flammable items such as capes, long dresses, and the other flowing costumes.

8 Prepare your home for little visitors. Be careful with candles and open flame near the door. Check your outdoor lights, sweep wet leaves from the sidewalk and the road and curb all pets, so you do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

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