Keeping Little Ghosts And Goblins Safe At Halloween
Keeping Little Ghosts And Goblins Safe At Halloween By Liz Goff Halloween is a haunting eve, when spooks and specters hover over local streets in search of some ghoulishly good fun and treats.
Police and fire officials are offering parents the following tips to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe as they trek out for Trick Or Treat:The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) is advising Trick Or Theaters of all ages to avoid long, billowy costumes that can easily catch fire when they come in contact with an open flame. .Police officials are urging people to make sure Halloween masks have eyeholes that are large enough to allow complete visibility for both children and adults.The NFPA is also advising the use of a flashlight or battery-powered candle to illuminate carved Jack-o-Lanterns. If you use wax candles, make sure to light them with long, fireplace matches or a long utility lighter and NEVER leave the candle unattended when it is burning, NFPA officials said. Always extinguish the candle when you leave the room – and keep children far away from pumpkins and other Halloween decorations with lighted candles.A responsible adult should always accompany youngsters when they go Trick-Or- Treating, police said.Consider giving each child a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility and personal safety, police said. Let children think the flashlight is a spooky accessory, police said.Make sure kids stay together in a group when Trick-Or-Treating, police said. Young children should always be accompanied, but teens and older children should take precautions when crossing streets in costumes that might not be clearly visible to motorists.MOST IMPORTANT, never let children eat any Halloween candy until it is brought home and examined by an adult, police said. Sadly, there are people who think it is fun to lace candy with pills, or insert razor blades or other harmful items into candy.The best candy is wrapped individually, police said. But don’t take anything for granted – even candy that appears to be safe can be turned into something deadly, police said.Police and fire officials are urging parents to use common sense when sending youngsters out for Trick-Or-Treat on Halloween.“Of course, it’s best for parents to accompany kids when they head out in costume for Trick-Or-Treating,” officials said. “But if that’s not possible, parents should stress how important it is for youngsters to stay with a group of friends or parent chaperones,” the officials said. “Tell children to approach a home or apartment, ring the bell and step back,” officials said.“Never, ever step inside the home of a stranger on Halloween, regardless of what they say. Don’t get pulled in by promises of petting puppies, having a soft drink, getting candy or other treats,” officials said.“Ring the bell, step back with your group and let the stranger step outside to give you a treat,” the officials said. “And tell children they should never, ever eat candy or other items passed out by strangers until they get home and you can check them for safety.”Police and fire officials suggest you purchase candy and other items your children like. “When your kids get home from Trick-Or-Treating, take the candy they received and toss it in the trash – and replace it with the items you purchased,” the officials said. “Your kids will never know that you made the switch, they’ll be thrilled when they realize they got all their favorites, and you will have peace of mind when they dig into their treat bags,” the officials said.Parents are also urged to serve dinner or a snack to children before they trek out to Trick-Or-Treat.“Kids will eat less candy while they’re outside Trick-Or-Treating if they have a meal before they leave home,” the officials said.