Happy Halloween

Halloween is one of the most enjoyable holidays for adults and children alike. It’s also a time for making sure our kids are safe—in their costumes, on the street, and enjoying all the treats they collect. And let’s not forget about making sure Mom and Dad have fun with their children on this spooky night! The following tips will help ensure your trickor- treaters enjoy haunting their neighborhoods while gathering their munchings and crunchings!

Treats Make sure your children understand they are not to snack on their treats while they’re out trick-or-treating. Every parents should inspect all goodies (even commercially wrapped) for any signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance, discoloration, pinholes or tears in candy wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

For young children, remove hard candies, coins, gum, nuts and small toys as they can become choking hazards.

Costumes When purchasing costumes and accessories, look for “Flame Resistant” labels. Although this label does not mean that the item won't catch fire it does indicate that the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists and trim with reflective tape.

Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping. Have your child carry a flashlight.

Safety Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older child.

Have your trick-or-treater carry your cell phone.

All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available. Only cross the street at cross-walks and always look both ways.

Children should not run out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards.

Children should go only to homes where they know the residents; Choosing well lit homes with outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Going out in groups with several adults is not only fun, but ensures children will be better supervised.