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Treat Your Family to a Safe Halloween

Oct. 31, 2000

The National Safety Council\r\noffers tips to prevent injuries and deaths\r\nassociated with Halloween.

What''s the trick to a safe Halloween? The National Safety Council (NSC) offers the following tips to prevent injuries and deaths associated with Halloween, such as falls, pedestrian/car crashes and other hazards.

Review All Precautions

Watch for children on roadways, medians and curbs.
Children should not trick or treat alone. Ensure adequate adult supervision.
Children should stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit.
Children should not eat any treat until a parent has inspected it.

Dress Safely

Use only fire-retardant materials for costumes.
Costumes should be loose so that kids can wear warmer clothes underneath if necessary.
Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
Costumes, bags and sacks should be made of light-colored materials. Use strips of retro-reflective tape on costumes and bags to make more children visible.
If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eyeholes. Facial make-up is safer and more colorful.
Flashlights help kids see better and be seen more clearly.

Tips for Homeowners

Provide adequate outdoor lighting.
Keep walkways free of obstructions.
Provide alternatives to candy and junk food.
Encourage community leaders to provide safe designated trick or treating hours or alternative celebrations.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.