By Rene Hopkins, Coordinator, Safe Kids East Central
Led by the MCG Children’s Medical Center 

Parents and others can help make Halloween both fun and safe with the following guidelines, presented by Safe Kids East Central, led by the MCG Children’s Medical Center.

1) See and Be Seen

When crowds of trick-or-treaters are walking through neighborhoods, visibility becomes a top concern. Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. And since Daylight Savings Time ends on October 28, parents and children need to remember that it will be darker earlier on Halloween night and plan accordingly.

• Light- and bright-colored costumes can help make children easier to see but may not be enough. Use reflectors or reflective tape to decorate costumes and sacks.  Remember, a car traveling at 60 mph needs 260 feet to stop completely. Reflectors make your children visible at 500 feet.
• Avoid masks as they can impair a child’s vision. Makeup or nontoxic face paint is a better alternative.
• Ensure better visibility and decrease the risk of falling by providing trick-or-treaters with flashlights.
• Make sure children understand and obey all traffic regulations, such as looking both ways before crossing streets.

2) Dress for Success

The most important part of the evening is picking out that just-right, scary costume. Parents and others can help by making sure costumes are safe too.

• Check that costumes fit properly, avoiding those that drag on the ground.
• Be careful of long flowing skirts, belts or loose ends that could catch fire or cause your child to trip or fall.
• Reduce the risk of injury by making sure accessories such as knives, swords and other props are made of flexible material or cardboard.
• Attach contact information on children’s costumes in case children get separated, and make sure they know their phone number. Provide older children with a means of calling home.

3) Don’t Play With Fire

Textile manufacturers are no longer required by law to make costumes flame-retardant, so it is up to you to help reduce the chance of fire-related injuries during Halloween.

• Lit pumpkins are a great way to light your porch and welcome kids, but an open flame is a danger, especially with gauzy costumes. Try tap lights or glow sticks instead.
• Don’t allow children to carry lanterns or candles with an open flame while trick-or-treating. Electric candles or a flashlight (with new batteries) are much safer choices.
• Anyone hosting trick-or-treaters should make a point of clearing yards of debris and marking a well-lit path to reduce the risk of falling. Avoid using candles or other open flames to mark paths.

One last tip: As always, parents or other adults should accompany children while they’re out and about. In particular, children under 10 should not go out without adult supervision. Not only do you get to share in a fun night with your children, but you also can help make sure it’s a safe night too.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group.  MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services.  MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.