Children should only eat Halloween treats that have been examined by an adult for tampering. Costumes should be made of flame-resistant materials or be tightly fitting to minimize fire risks. To help be seen in the dark, costumes should be bright with reflective tape and children should carry flashlights. Children should only go to homes where residents are known and have outside lights on, and should always walk on sidewalks or lawns, not run between parked cars.
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Halloween Safety Tips
1. Halloween Safety
A few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission can protect children who plan to go
trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has
carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.
Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume,
masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant.
Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it
does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish
quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the
risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid
costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy
sleeves or billowing skirts.
Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light
and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate
or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the
beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks should also be
light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective
tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and
sporting goods stores.
To easily see and be seen, children should also carry
flashlights.
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good idea for safe
walking.
Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might
restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has
eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.
Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible
child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather
than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or
across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.
Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have
outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns,
steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps
where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from
curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.
Publication 100 009309 032012
U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (800) 638-2772 www.cpsc.gov www.SaferProducts.gov