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Halloween Safety Tips from Lifetime Health Medical Group

NEWS RELEASE - October 18, 2007

ROCHESTER, NY — It took a while for the weather to start feeling autumnal, but now that there’s a chill in the air, Halloween is quickly approaching. Dr. Gemila Bouber of Lifetime Health Medical Group offers some practical safety tips parents should add to their Halloween preparation checklist to prepare children for safe and enjoyable “trick-or-treat” fun:

• Accompany children under age 10.
• Go only to houses you know and stay in well-lighted areas.
• Be, or bring, your own light. Decorate costumes or bags with reflective tape or stickers and always bring a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Stay far away from lighted candles as they can ignite costumes.
• Only cross streets at corners, not between parked cars. Look both ways before crossing or go only when lights tell you to.
• Make sure costumes are light reflective and flame resistant and that props (knives, spears, wands, etc.) are flexible and have soft edges so they won’t cause injury. If a child is wearing a full mask, make sure he or she still has full visibility (a good alternative to a mask is non-toxic makeup).
• Eat treats after a grown up inspects them; only keep wrapped candy. (Note that feeding kids a spooky – and filling – dinner before trick or treating may make them less likely to eat candy before you can inspect it.)
• Everyday safety tips still apply, such as: don’t get into cars, don’t go inside strangers’ houses.
• Walk, don’t run.
• Never go alone. Even older children should go out in groups.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers additional tips:

• Carry a mobile phone and teach children how to dial 9-1-1.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting.
• Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

A safe alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating is having or going to a Halloween party with people you know,” says Dr. Bouber. “If you have older children who want to venture out, know the route they will be taking and set time limits on when they should return home.”

Dr. Bouber’s practice is located at Chili Pediatrics, 849 Paul Road in Chili. For more information about Lifetime Health Medical Group, call 585/338-4944 or visit http://www.lifetimehealth.org.

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