Red Cross Halloween Safety Tips for Kids and Adults

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.

• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.

• Cross the street only at corners.

• Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.

• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)

• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.

• Carry a flashlight to light your way.

• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)

• Visit homes that have the porch light on.

• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.

• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.

• Be cautious of animals and strangers.

• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

Some extra tips from Eggboy:

• Stores now carry small pins that are battery operated and have a small flashing light in them so that you are more visible to cars. They have cute Halloween images on them!

• Try not to carry a lot of props, (ie. swords, bat, etc.), that could trip you up or make it hard to walk around.

• Trick or Treating can be a lot of fun with more than one person. Try getting a group of friends to go together!!!

• Or, instead of going out, why not have a Halloween party? They can be fun and you can be sure that everyone will be safe inside. :)

• Instead of using candles in your Jack-O-Lantern's this year, try using those "tap-lights".  They use batteries and really make those pumpkins glow!  Plus, you won't have to worry about the longer costumes accidentally hitting the flames of the candles.  You can even carve off the top and drape spider webs over them without the fear of fire!

Thanks to Bravenet.com for the guestbook.