Saturday, October 01, 2005

Halloween Safety

CPSC Document #5042 009309A few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission can protect children who plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be 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 should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.

To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.

Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.

Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.

Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.

Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

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

People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

For further information on product safety, consumers may call the U.S . Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline on (800) 638-2772. Hearing impaired consumers may use TTY (800) 638-8270.

Consumers can obtain this publication and additional publication information from the Publications section of CPSC's web site or by sending your publication request to info@cpsc.gov.

This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced without change in part or whole by an individual or organization without permission. If it is reproduced, however, the Commission would appreciate knowing how it is used. Write the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. 20207 or send an e-mail to info@cpsc.gov.

SOURCE: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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RELATED: Saturday, October 01, 2005 Halloween Safety, Sunday, October 02, 2005 Halloween Black Cat in a Pumpkin, Sunday, October 02, 2005 Halloween Food Safety Tips, Sunday, October 02, 2005 Halloween Jack O' Lantern, Monday, October 03, 2005 Halloween 'bright blue weather', Tuesday, October 04, 2005 Halloween Ancient and Modern, Wednesday, October 05, 2005 Halloween, Ghouls, Ghost, Trick or Treat, Thursday, October 06, 2005 Halloween Swamp, Friday, October 07, 2005 Halloween Funeral Procession, Saturday, October 08, 2005 Halloween Bat, Sunday, October 09, 2005 Halloween Jack O' Lantern Man, Wednesday, October 12, 2005 Halloween Cave, Thursday, October 13, 2005 Halloween Bat 3, Friday, October 14, 2005 Halloween Skeleton, Saturday, October 15, 2005 Halloween Demon, Sunday, October 16, 2005 Halloween Skull, Tuesday, October 18, 2005 Halloween Skeleton 2, Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Halloween Witch, Friday, October 21, 2005 Halloween Graveyard, Saturday, October 22, 2005 Halloween Moon, Sunday, October 23, 2005 Halloween Pumpkins,

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