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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 1987)
Page 10, Portland Observer, October 28.1987 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids W HEN to go: Go in the afternoon if possible, before it gets dark. If you go after dark, put reflective tape on your costume and "Trick or Treat" bag. Carry a flashlight, never a flame. W HO to go w ith : It s best to go with a parent or other adult, but a mature older brother or sister is also a good choice. If no adult is available, go with a group of kids and stay together. W H A T to w ear: Masks and costumes can block vision. Be sure that eye-holes are large and that wigs and beards don't obscure your view. Remove the mask when crossing streets, climbing steps and in poorly-lighted areas. Better yet, use appropriate make-up instead of a mask. Choose light colored costumes that are easily seen at night, and add reflective tape. Costumes should be of non-flammable material and easy to walk in Check for and remove sharp edges or points on costumes, masks and accessories. Carry your name, address and phone number attached to your clothing under the costume. WHERE to go: It's best to visit only people you know. At the very least, stay in your own neighborhood. Walk only on well-lighted streets, not in alleys or between houses. If there's no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic. Don't enter homes or apartments. Remain outside of the front door or on the porch to receive your treats. Plan beforehand where you intend to go. If no adult will be with you, tell your parents what your route will be and when you will be home. Wear a watch so you can keep track of the time. HOW to eat y o u r treats: Wait until you're home before eating anything. Have your parents check the treats. Eat only individually wrapped items and carefully inspect each package for holes, tears or slits. Discard any which appear tampered with. Wash and slice fruit thinly, or discard. WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! Tips fo r adults: Drive especially carefully after dusk on October 31 . . . gremlins are about. Make sure your own home is well-lighted. Check the front yard and remove anything children can trip over as they approach. Keep Fido indoors. Consider small gifts instead of candy. Crayons, comics, clay, games or balls are inexpensive and safe. If you have children, plan a Halloween party for them and their friends, in place of "Trick or Treating." Halloween Safety Tips Halloween begins a time of the year when children and teens are faced with potential dangers associated with the holidays. But, this doesn t have to be a scary time for parents and children. For those children who would rather go trick-or-treating, parents could form a safety patrol such as dividing the town into sections and cars with two parents each patrol these areas from 7-9:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Work closely with the local police department should problems occur.Pat rolling parent volunteers can give flashlights and reflective tape to trick or » 4 » treaters to make them more visible. Here are some suggestions for parents to help make trick-or-treating a safe and enjoyable experience. • Have an adult accompany Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods houses or apartments that are well • Tell children to accept only sample anything until they return . 1. <■: O < ■ V children on their treat-gathering route. or homes of strangers. Stop only at lit. manufacturer-wrapped treats and not to home. Inspect their treats for possible tampering. • Tell children to politely decline any invitations to enter a home or apartment. Similarly, don't encourage children you don't know to enter < \V your house. • Affix name, address and phone number to the inside of young chil dren's costumes in case they get lost. Give children coins and instruct them to call if there is a problem. • Older kids without adult chaperones should always travel in groups, never alone. Have them plan a route to follow and designate a time they’ll return home. • Natural masks of make-up are preferable to plastic or rubber ones that may restrict breathing or obstruct peripheral vision. • Purchase only costumes, masks, beards and wigs labeled "flame resistant." ( . • See that costumes are short enough so youngsters don t trip. Bright colors and costumes with reflector tape are more visible. • Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft flexible material. Avoid toy weapons that could be mistaken for the real thing. • Instruct children to walk, not run, from house to house. They should walk on sidewalks, not in the streets, and cross at intersections or crosswalks. Teach them not to dart out between parked cars. GENERAL Safety Tips Teach your children: * 1. Their full name, address and phone number. 2. How to reach you if you are away or at work. To dial r-* 0 for the operator if that works best. 3. To recognize emergencies and dial 911 (if it's available in your area) for the police, fire department or an ambulance. 4. How to escape from different rooms in case of fire. To leave a burn ing building immediately and call the fire department from a neighbor's i t.S ; phone. . j , 5. That a stranger is someone they and you don t know very well, even if one calls them by name. 6. To never admit to anyone over the phone that they are home alone. To never answer the door when home alone. To dial the police if some r* Î’ !& * •’ «* ’ one tries to get into the house or apartment. 7. To never go near a car with someone in it. To never get into a car without your permission. To never go into anyone's home without your permission. 8. That no one has the right to touch them, threaten them or make them feel uncomfortable. To tell you immediately if someone tries. 9. To tell you when an adult asks them to keep a "secret. To let you know if someone offers them gifts or money, or wants to take their picture. 10. To yell "HELP", not just scream. ■ » ■. 5£?l I FredMeyer ONE STOP SHOPPING J CENTERS!