CPSC Advises Parents To Take Extra Care On Halloween

Costumes are a major concern. In stores, look for costumes, masks, beards, and wigs with labels indicating fire retardancy. Whether purchased or homemade, avoid flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Costumes should be short enough so that children will not trip on them. Also, they should be light or bright enough to make them clearly visible to motorists on dimly lighted residential streets. Even witches can wear reflective tape sewn onto their gowns or carry flashlights.

Masks or other disguises should not restrict vision or breathing. Plastic bags over faces can cause suffocation. A natural mask of cosmetics applied directly to the skin is usually safest.

Children should never be allowed to carry candles or any other open flame, even if it is inside a pumpkin. The consequences of a fall or spark are obvious.

Adults should be careful with candle-lit jack-o-lanterns. Do not set them on doorsteps where children's costumes might brush against the flame and indoors be sure they are not near curtains or other furnishings as these may ignite. The Commission also advises parents to follow these safety guidelines:

-Young children out trick-or-treating should always be accompanied by a responsible older person and should be kept in constant sight;

-Tell youngsters to avoid running across lawns or backyards because they can trip over lawn ornaments or run into clotheslines that are almost invisible in the dark;

-Remind children of everyday safety rules, such as not dashing out between parked cars;

-Children should not eat any of the treats they collect until they have been carefully examined by an adult. Pins, razor blades, slivers of glass, drugs, and poison have been found in treats passed out by real life ghouls.

Finally, if you are driving on Halloween, take special care. Watch out for trick-or-treaters who will be too busy to watch out for you.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent Federal regulatory agency created by Congress to reduce unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products.