It's almost Halloween - that magical time when witches, goblins, ghosts and skeletons stalk the streets hoping to frighten the unsuspecting. ""But what is really scary is that this holiday greatly increases the risk of injury to children who plan to go trick-or-treating, ""said Chairman Jacqueline Jones-Smith.
Parents should warn their children not to eat any of their treats before they get home. All candy should be inspected to assure that it is safely sealed and has not been tampered with. All unwrapped treats or those that appear to be stale or spoiled should be thrown away. Parents should be especially careful with fruit - wash it and cut it open before allowing a child to eat it.
Many halloween-related injuries involve falls caused by environmental hazards, cumbersome costumes and masks, and burns from flammable costumes. In addition, pedestrian injuries can occur to children walking in unfamiliar neighborhoods and from motorists who are unable to see young trick-or-treaters clearly.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers safety tips for parents and guardians of children who plan to go trick- or-treating this Halloween.
Costumes
-If a mask is worn, cut the eyeholes and nosehole large enough to allow full visibility and so breathing is not hampered.
-Be certain that masks, wigs, beards and hats fit securely and are not cumbersome.
-An alternative to face masks may be the application of non-toxic face paint or make-up to the child's face.
-Look for "flame resistant" labels on costumes, masks, beards and wigs. When shopping for fabrics such as 100 percent polyester, nylon, or wool. Sales people can assist in identifying these fabrics
-Avoid costumes made out of flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. These are more likely to come in contact with an exposed flame or candle than tighter fitting costumes.
-Do not allow children to carry knives, swords or other props unless they are soft and flexible.
-Buy or make Halloween costumes that are light or bright enough to make them more visible to motorists at dusk and in the dark.
-Costumes should be short enough to prevent children form tripping and falling. Children should always wear well- fitting, sturdy shoes.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
-Give trick-or-treaters flashlights, so they can see better, and to be seen more clearly.
-Decorate or trim all costumes with reflective tape that glows in the beam of a car's headlights. Place reflective strips on the sleeves or treat bag.
-Warn children not to run out from between parked cars or across lawns and yards where tripping dangers may be present.
-Parents should caution all children to use the sidewalk or walk toward oncoming traffic and not to run from house to house.
-Children should be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult who will keep the children in sight at all times.
-Allow trick-or-treating only in familiar neighborhoods and along a preestablished route. Designate a specific time for children to return home.
-Have children restrict their trick-or-treat calls to homes with porch or other outside lights on as a sign of welcome. Children should always use the "buddy system" and never go places alone.
-Warn children not to enter homes or apartments.
-Each child should have change for a phone call in case of a problem away from home.
-Make your homes safer for visiting trick-or-treaters by removing breakable items or obstacles from your yard.
-Keep candlelit jack-o-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes might brush against the flame.
-Parents should examine any toys or novelty items their children receive as treats in lieu of candy. Do not allow young children to have any toy or novelty items that small enough to present a choking hazard to children under three years old.
The Commission encourages parents to follow these safety tips, particularly if their children are just beginning to learn about the "Halloween tradition."
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is providing this Halloween Safety advisory as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that occur each year with 15,000 different types of consumer products with CPSC's jurisdiction.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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