Halloween tips and treats

Halloween tops the list of favorite holidays for many children. And for good reason: it's the one day of the year when kids can be anything they want.

On Halloween, however, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car than on any other night. To keep your little ghouls, goblins, rock stars, princesses and pirates safe this Halloween, follow these tips from Kristen Beckworth, an injury prevention specialist at Children's.

Watch for cars while trick-or-treating

Motor-pedestrian accidents are the most common injuries to children on Halloween. To avoid them:

Teach children appropriate crossing locations (the cross walk or at a corner).
Never cross in the middle of the street.
Children should learn how to properly cross the street (look left, right, then left again before crossing).

Keep your eyes on the sky

Dusk is the most dangerous time of the evening to trick-or-treat because there's little contrast in the sky. Drivers may not have turned on their lights, and street lights have not yet come on.

Keep costumes comfy and safe

Ensure your child's costume is the right size. Costumes should be snug and comfortable. If they are too baggy, kids may trip and fall, or loose material may catch fire on jack-o-lanterns or candles.
Children should wear costumes/clothing that can easily be seen in the dark (such as reflective clothing).
Use age-appropriate props with costumes so children do not injure themselves or others.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit. If the shoes are part of the costume, make sure they will not be a tripping hazard as your child is walking.
Eyeholes in a mask should be large enough for your child to see clearly.
When using face-paint, make sure it is non-flammable.

Other essential trick-or-treating do's and don'ts

Do trick-or-treat in groups with an adequate adult-to-child ratio.
Do keep a consistent head count.
Don't let children younger than 12 trick-or-treat without an adult.
Do inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them.
Do use safe pedestrian behaviors.
Do not let your children become too lax in dealing with strangers.
Do not transport groups of children in the back of a pick-up truck. This is against the law.