(WTAQ-WLUK) — Halloween is here.
It can be one of the most fun nights of the year for children but can also be one of the most dangerous.
On Halloween night, children are twice as likely to be killed by a motor vehicle than any other night of the year.
But, there are simple precautions to ensure kids stay safe on fright night.
- Walk on sidewalks or paths. If that’s not possible, walk facing traffic as far left as you can.
- Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Use the crosswalk and make sure to look both ways before entering the street.
- Help make your child’s costume more visible with reflective tape. Glow sticks or flashlights can also help drivers see trick-or-treaters better.
- Use face paint instead of a mask if possible. Masks can sometimes hinder peripheral vision.
- Make sure your child’s costume is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
And when you get home, parents should inspect their children’s candy before they eat them.
The FDA offers the following Halloween candy safety tips:
- Children shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags while they’re out trick-or-treating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect their loot before they eat any of it.
- Safe treats: Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
- Food Allergies: If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Do not allow the child to eat any home-baked goods he or she may have received.
- Choking hazards: If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.
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