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Safety Tips For Halloween Trick-or-Treaters
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - Last year, a 12-year-old Texas girl died of severe burns she received
when her homemade Halloween costume caught fire while trick-or treating.
The girl's costume, made of burlap strips, caught fire and the fire quickly
spread as she brushed past a jack-o'-lantern containing a lighted candle.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is releasing safety
tips to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.
Halloween-related injuries may involve (1) burns from flammable costumes
ignited by open flames from items such as candles and jack-o'-lanterns,
(2) eye abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or costumes, and
(3) skin irritations or rashes from decorative face paints or creams.
By
following these safety tips, consumers will help make this year's holiday
a safe one.
- Flame
Resistant Costumes: When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs,
look for flame resistant nylon or polyester fabrics or look for the
label "Flame Resistant." Flame 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.
- Treats:
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them
carefully for evidence of tampering.
- Costume
Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly
visible to motorists.
- For greater
visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with
reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags
or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape.
Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting
goods stores.
- Children
should carry flashlights to see easily and aid in being seen.
- Costumes
should be short enough so that children won't trip and fall.
- Children
should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother's high heels are not
a good idea for safe walking.
- Tie hats
and scarfs securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
- If your
child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large
enough to allow full vision.
- Swords,
knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible
material.
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