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

Halloween is one of the most important days of the year on a child’s social calendar. Parents and others can help make the holiday 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
   With crowds of trick-or-treaters walking through neighborhoods, visibility is always a top concern. This year, Daylight Savings Time ends on October 30, so parents and children need to remember that it will be darker earlier on Halloween night and plan accordingly.
2. • Decorate costumes and sacks with reflective tape or stickers.  Remember, a car traveling at 60 mph needs 260 feet to stop completely. Reflectors make your children visible at 500 feet.
   • Buy a costume in a light or bright color to ensure better visibility at night.
   • 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.
          
3. 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.
4. • 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.
        

5. 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 injury during Halloween.

6. • 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.
   • Do not allow your children to carry lanterns or candles while trick-or-treating. A flashlight (with new batteries) is a much safer choice.
   • 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.

And the most important tip of all? As always, parents or other adults should accompany children while they’re out and about. 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 separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation, not employees of MCG Health, Inc.  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 faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.