| Halloween ranks second only to Christmas as | | | | you. |
| America's favorite seasonal holiday. And with | | | | |
| the "haunting" season just around the corner | | | | Candy |
| - it's mid-October as I write these words - | | | | |
| it seems like a good time to review basic | | | | Many hospitals now X-ray Halloween candy for |
| Halloween safety. So, here are a few safety | | | | free on Halloween night - a sad and |
| tips about costumes and candy that will help | | | | disturbing comment on the society in which we |
| make Halloween a safe and fun experience for | | | | live. Your child's health and safety are too |
| you and your family. | | | | important to leave to chance, even though |
| | | | incidents of poisoned candy or dangerous |
| Costumes | | | | objects inside of candy are rare. |
| | | | |
| Today's Halloween costumes are more elaborate | | | | Make it very clear to your child that he or |
| than ever. No matter how your child dresses | | | | she should not eat any candy until you |
| up for Halloween - be it as the Silver Surfer | | | | personally inspect it. When you do inspect |
| of Fantastic Four lore or Elizabeth Swann of | | | | candy, make sure that wrappers are intact. If |
| Pirates of the Caribbean - there are several | | | | a wrapper is torn, or there is any other any |
| key safety features to consider. | | | | evidence that a piece of candy has been |
| | | | unwrapped and then re-wrapped, don't hesitate |
| First, make sure you child's costume is made | | | | to throw the candy away. |
| of fire retardant material. Candles are | | | | |
| common at Halloween and fire retardant | | | | One way to ensure your child's candy is safe |
| material makes it much more difficult for a | | | | is to get involved in the Halloween |
| costume to catch fire should your child | | | | experience on a more personal level. Instead |
| accidentally brush against a candle or other | | | | of allowing your children to trick-or-treat |
| open flame. | | | | at the homes of strangers, drive your |
| | | | children to the homes of people you know and |
| Next, no Halloween costume is truly complete | | | | trust, where they can collect candy from |
| without reflective tape. Strips of reflective | | | | relatives and friends. Another option is to |
| tape make it much easier for passing | | | | take your kids to a Halloween party at the |
| motorists to see your child in a car's | | | | home of a friend or neighbor. Or, throw a |
| headlights. If your child's costume doesn't | | | | Halloween party for your kids and their |
| have reflective tape, you can upgrade the | | | | friends in the safety of your very own home. |
| costume inexpensively by purchasing | | | | |
| reflective tape at a nearby hardware store | | | | Conclusion |
| and applying it yourself. | | | | |
| | | | Costumes and candy are important elements of |
| Finally, don't forget to attach a name tag or | | | | a safe and fun Halloween. Following the tips |
| other label to the inside of your child's | | | | above and researching additional topics on |
| costume. Include your child's name, address | | | | your own - traffic safety is one of several |
| and a telephone number where you or another | | | | good examples - will help ensure many years |
| family member can be reached in the event | | | | of happy Halloweens for you and your |
| your child becomes lost or separated from | | | | children. |