Editorial: Don’t let Halloween get scary

Thursday, 22 October 2009 10:15

Some Halloween costumes may be frightening, but the holiday itself is intended to be fun. Following some basic safety tips can help ensure Oct. 31 remains more treat than trick.

All costume elements, including beards and wigs, should be of flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester. Flam-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves, or billowing skirts.

Wear costumes that are light, bright, and visible to motorists, and decorate costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. This tape is usually available in hardware and sporting goods stores. Costumes should be well-fitted and not drag on the ground to help prevent against trips and falls.

Make sure masks fit securely and provide adequate ventilation, and that they have eyeholes large enough to allow full vision in all directions. If possible, use face paint on a child instead of a mask. Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over eyes and obstructing vision.

Younger children should be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating, and their parents should discuss appropriate behavior at Halloween time.

All children should carry flashlights and they should trick-or-treat only to houses with the outside lights on. They should never enter the home of a stranger.

Despite poor cell coverage in Lewisboro, children trick-or-treating without adult supervision should be carrying a cell phone. Also, children should walk on the side of the road even on seemingly quiet back roads, as curves and hills may hide oncoming cars.

Adults should examine all pieces of candy, “treats,” before children eat them. Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use. Children should only eat candy that has been commercially packaged and has not been opened in any way.

In general, using common sense should keep Halloween from becoming truly scary.