| Halloween may be a special day for children, but | | | | put reflective tape on their costumes. |
| for parents, trick-or-treat time can be a little | | | | Dressed Up And Perilous? |
| troublesome. Nearly 40 years ago when I was | | | | Halloween blood and gore are unperilous stuff for |
| younger, I remember some of my parent's | | | | the most part. But sometimes dressing up as a |
| concerns:; like razor blades in apples or treats | | | | super-hero, a scary monster, or a slimy alien |
| from Exlax made to look like chocolate candy, | | | | from outer space; coupled with the excitement of |
| and avoiding strangers. That was then, this is now. | | | | Halloween, brings out ferocious demeanors. Even |
| Tips for Parents | | | | fake knives, swords, and guns and other costume |
| Concerns about children and their well being, | | | | accessories can accidentally incapacitate people. If |
| whether they are out in the neighborhood or back | | | | these objects are part of a costume for a child, |
| at home with bountiful bags of goodies, can cast | | | | make sure they are made from cardboard or |
| a spell on the nights celebration. But not to worry! | | | | ancillary flexible materials. Better yet, challenge |
| Following a few safety tips will ensure that | | | | kids to fashion costumes that do not need |
| Halloween will be a ...h o w l i n g.. good time for all. | | | | weapons to be scary or funmaking. |
| Here's what we can do: | | | | Preparing Ghost And Goblins For Their Tricks And |
| Un-haunting Your House and Neighborhood | | | | Treats |
| 1. Welcome trick-or-treaters at home by keeping | | | | 1. Make sure older kids go out with friends they |
| your exterior lights on. | | | | know. Younger children should be accompanied by |
| 2. Remove objects from your yard that might | | | | an adult. If you live in a agricultural area, offer all |
| render a safety threat to visitors. | | | | children a ride in the truck. |
| 3. Ask you Neighborhood Watch or citizen group | | | | 2. It is advisable to set a time limit for children to |
| to police the community. | | | | trick-or-treat. Together, sketch out a safe route |
| 4. Involve students from a nearby college or | | | | so you understand where they will be. Remind |
| university to be goblin's helpers. These pupils can | | | | them not to take shortcuts through backyards, |
| help trick-or-treaters span busy streets and | | | | alleys, or playing fields. |
| watch out for devilish situations. | | | | 3. Remind children not to enter strange houses or |
| 5. If away from your home, drive slowly all | | | | automobiles. |
| evening, you may never see what creeping thing | | | | 4. Attempt to get kids to trick-or-treat while it is |
| may suddenly circumnavigate your path. | | | | still light out. If it is dark, make sure a couple of |
| 6. Report any shady or illegal activity to your | | | | people are carrying flashlights that work and are |
| regional law enforcement agency or police | | | | loaded with fresh batteries. |
| department. | | | | Pranks That Can Be A Little Trickish Without |
| Ponder This | | | | Safety In Mind |
| The best way parents and children can avoid | | | | Halloween is notorious as a night of pranks; toilet |
| trick-or-treating troubles entirely is by organizing a | | | | papering a house or lining mailboxes with shaving |
| Halloween costume party with treats, games, | | | | cream are not advisable. Try to get a handle on |
| contests, music, scary stories, and much more. | | | | the plans of your children before they go out. |
| Make your Halloween party the scene of action to | | | | Make clear to them that while you want them to |
| be at! Schools, fire stations, libraries, even malls in | | | | have a delightful time, some tricks [pranks] could |
| many communities organize haunted houses and | | | | maim innocent children or destroy property. |
| ancillary festivities for families. | | | | The Halloween Payoff..Eating The Treats |
| Creating Suitable Costumes With Safety In Mind | | | | 1. Children need to know not to eat their treats |
| 1. Check that costumes are flame-retardant so | | | | until they get home. One way to keep |
| the little ones are not in jeopardy near candle lit | | | | trick-or-treaters from digging in while they are still |
| jack-o-lanterns and alternate fire risks. | | | | out is to provide them a good meal or substantial |
| 2. Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and | | | | snack beforehand. |
| alternate bumps in the nighttime. | | | | 2. Peruse all treats at home in a well-lighted place. |
| 3. Prompt kids to wear comfortable shoes. | | | | 3. What to eat? Only unopened candies and other |
| 4. Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be | | | | treats that are in authentic wrappers. Do not |
| hot and uncomfortable and, more importantly, | | | | forget to inspect fruit and homemade goodies for |
| they can obstruct the vision of a child; a | | | | anything incredulous. By all means, admonish |
| hazardous thing when kids are crossing streets | | | | children not to eat everything at once or they will |
| and going up and down steps. | | | | be feeling pretty g h o s t l y themselves. |
| 5. Make sure kids wear light colored costumes or | | | | |