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It’s that time again for scary ghosts and lots of candy.
And it’s time again for Westchester County to issue its
Halloween tips to ensure the safety of all the Trick-or-Treaters
out there.
Costumes
Costumes, masks, beards and wigs should be of flame
resistant fabrics, look for the label "Flame Resistant."
Flame resistant fabrics will resist burning and should
extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with
candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with
flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or
billowing skirts.
Costumes should be light, bright and clearly visible to
motorists.
For greater visibility during dusk and darkness,
decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will
glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks
also should be light colored or decorated with
reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in
hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely,
provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large
enough to allow full vision. Eye holes in face masks
should be big enough for a child to see out of in all
directions.
Try using face paint on your child instead of a mask.
Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen
Costumes should be well-fitted and not drag on the
ground to guard against trips and falls.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
Oversized high heels are not a good idea.
Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from
slipping over children's eyes and obstructing vision.
Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or
swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do
not appear authentic and that they are made of soft,
flexible material. Swords, knives and similar costume
accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.
Trick or Treating
Trick-or-treaters should stay within their own
neighborhoods.
Openly discuss with children appropriate and
inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
Children should carry change so they can call home.
Instruct them in the proper use of the 911 system
Review the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll,” should their
clothes catch fire.
Children should trick-or-treat only to houses with the
outside lights on and to apartment buildings that are
brightly lit.
You should set a time for older children to return
home.
Children should not go inside the homes or apartments of
strangers.
Younger children should be accompanied by an adult
Treats
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has
examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
Carefully examine any toy or novelty items received by
trick-or-treaters under three years of age. Do not allow
young children to have any items that are small enough
to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or
components that could separate during use and present a
choking hazard.
The only candy or snacks that should be kept are those
which have been commercially packaged and those which
have not been opened in any way.
Encourage your child to eat dinner before going out.
Decorations
Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and
doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
Consider battery-powered lanterns or chemical
lightsticks instead of candles.
Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when
expecting trick-or-treaters.
Indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from
curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could
be ignited.
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been
tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.
Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or
cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose
connections. Discard damaged sets.
Don't overload extension cords.
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