HALLOWEEN TRICK- OR-TREAT SAFETY FOR HUMANS By Frankie Franken

Hello, everybody! Gosh, it's just two days before Halloween, and what I'm posting about today is really important for everybody. Halloween is a time of year when a lot of people are out and about trick-or-treating at night, and it's been estimated that the accident risk on Halloween for kids is about four times higher than any other day. The other MonsterGrrls and I (and our Mad Doctor, too) want all our kid readers (and other kids too) to stay safe this Halloween and not get hurt. So with just two days before the Big Day, here are some things you can do for Halloween safety.

First of all, when you're out trick-or-treating, make sure you stick to sidewalks, and stay out of the street. When you cross the street, look both ways and check for cars and trucks. (Parents, if you're with your kids, be sure you help them with this, because sometimes little kids can't cross a street without some difficulty.) It's best to cross the streets only at corners, too, and don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.

Make sure that a child's costume is light-colored or has reflective tape on it, so that it can be seen in the dark. Put some reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms, too (for young witches--Punkin reminded me to specially note this), and put names and addresses on costumes. Use face paint for your face rather than a mask that covers up your eyes, and if you do have a mask, make sure your vision isn't altered. Make sure that all kids know their home phone numbers and have change in case they need to use a pay phone to call. If your children use disposable cell phones, make sure they're fully charged and have plenty of minutes in case of emergencies.

Parents should plan the trick-or-treat route, preferably in a neighborhood you know, and stick to it. Carry flashlights with fresh batteries and bulbs for the big night, and since costumes can be very flammable, stay away from open fires or lit candles and pumpkins.

Visit houses that have porch lights on. Accept your treats at the porch and do not go to strangers' houses. When you get back home with your loot, have an adult inspect your candy before eating, and don't let very young children have hard candies that they could choke on. Do not eat candy if the package is already opened. A really good idea would be to plan and have a cool Halloween-themed dinner before going trick-or-treating, so that you don't get filled up on candy and can save some for later.

All of these common-sense applications will help you to have a safe Halloween. I got most of these tips from the American Red Cross; if you click my title link above, you'll find more tips from the Pediatrics section at about.com. Doing a Google search will help you find even more!

See you tomorrow for The MonsterGrrls' 31 Days Of Halloween!

Sincerely,
Frankie Franken