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
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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
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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
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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."
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• 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:
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1. Their full name, address and phone number.
2. How to reach you if you are away or at work. To dial
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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
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phone.
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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
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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.
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FredMeyer
ONE STOP SHOPPING
J CENTERS!