October 23, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Here are some tips to keep your ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween, from UAB’s THINK FIRST injury prevention program.

• Always accompany your children when they go trick-or-treating.
  
  
• Stay in familiar, well-lighted areas and plan your route.
  
  
• Only visit homes that have porch or outside lights on.
  
  
• Bring treats home before eating them, and check for signs of tampering. Cut fruit open before eating.
  
  
• Use flashlights when trick-or-treating.
  
  
• Attach strips of reflective tape to your child’s costume.
  
  
• Make sure hats or other headgear can’t slip down into your child’s eyes.
  
  
• Use fire resistant material for all homemade costumes.
  
  
• Try face paint rather than loose fitting masks which can obstruct vision. If you use a mask, make sure it fits snugly and cut the eye holes large enough to allow full vision.
  
  
• Don’t let kids wear mom or dad’s shoes. Dress them in shoes that fit.
  
  
• Don’t cut across lawns. Ornaments and clotheslines are hard to see in the dark. Stay on the walkways.
  
  
• Falls are the leading cause of injury on Halloween. Costumes and unfamiliar neighborhoods contribute to falls.
  
  
• Remind children to stop and look left, right and left again before crossing a street.