Have a fun, safe Halloween
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Trick or treating should be a great time for kids of all ages - but most importantly it should be a safe time!
As children get to dressed in costumes and go door to door asking "Trick or Treat!" from neighbors or at the local mall, please keep these safety tips in mind:
-Do not go trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
-Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible
-Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help you be seen by drivers.
-Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats to eat.
-Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
-Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
-Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
-If you use decorative contact lenses, lower your risk for serious eye injury by using contact lenses precautions - contacts are not toys!
-Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
-Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
-Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
-Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
-Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Have a fun and safe Halloween!
Editor's note: Information compiled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and originally published in October 2013. For more safety tips visit: www.cdc.gov.