RALEIGH, N.C. — Safety needs to be a primary consideration for parents and children celebrating Halloween, authorities said.
"Most folks don’t realize that Halloween is the most dangerous day for child pedestrians," state Insurance Commissioner Jim Long said in a statement. "Children are four times more likely to be killed while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year."
To keep your children safe on Halloween, authorities offer the following tips:
Place reflective tape and stickers on the fronts and backs of costumes and treat bags.
Light-colored costumes help children stand out in the darkness.
Lightweight costumes at least 4 to 6 inches from the ground are safest for preventing falls while traveling from house to house.
Flexible accessories and props, such as swords for pirate costumes, cause fewer injuries during falls than rigid accessories.
Non-toxic makeup allows better vision than masks.
Hats and shoes should fit well. Adult clothing may be fun for children, but oversized clothes are also more dangerous.
Make sure children don't puncture glow sticks that they wear or play with them because some contain toxic substances.
Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Purchase only costumes labeled as flame-resistant.
Costumes with flimsy material, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts are more likely to come in contact with exposed flames than tighter-fitting costumes.
Stop at street corners before crossing, look both ways before crossing any street and cross only at intersections or crosswalks.
Use sidewalks whenever possible and avoid crossing lawns that might have hidden obstacles.
For more safety information, visit
Safe Kids North Carolina
.
Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
