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Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips Here's a statistic that's sure to scare adults - children are four times more likely to be hit by a vehicle (car, motorcycle, SUV, truck) on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Halloween is Wednesday, October 31, and thousands of children and young adults will scurry around local neighborhoods during the late afternoon and after the sun goes down. While trick-or-treating can be scary at times (vandalism, rush hour traffic and tampered goodies), guidelines provided by the American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) can help goblins of all ages enjoy plenty of safe fun. The Red Cross urges all adults to be prepared to respond to emergencies on Halloween and during the rest of the year by enrolling in first aid, CPR and other safety classes. For information about Red Cross classes in New York City call 1-877-REDCROSS (1-877-733-2767), or visit www.nyredcross.org. Tips to Teach Children •Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you. •Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic. •Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low-flying brooms. •Cross the street only at corners, not in the middle of the block and stay together in a group before crossing. •Never hide or cross the street between parked cars. •Wear light-colored or reflective clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms, too!) •Use face paint rather than masks or big floppy hats that will cover your eyes. •Don't wear long, baggy, or loose costumes or extra-large shoes- you could trip and fall! •Carry a flashlight to light your way. •Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.) If a costume catches fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL. •Only visit well-lit homes that have a porch light on. •Accept treats at the door; never go into a stranger's house or apartment. •Be cautious of animals and strangers. •Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating them. •Don't eat candy if the package has already been opened. Tips for Parents •Establish a route in a well-known neighborhood and discuss it with your kids. •Review safety precautions with children, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules. •Accompany children under age 12- either you, another responsible adult or an older youth. •Remember that masks that can restrict peripheral vision and hearing and oversized or loose costumes and shoes can cause children to trip and fall. •Choose a firm return time. •Make sure children know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls or carry a cell phone. •Check the tag/label on costumes to make sure they are flame-resistant. •Make sure older children carry an ID. •Have children use flexible costume knives and swords, not ones that are rigid or sharp. •Ask children to bring treats home before eating them so you can inspect them. Remember: small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children. •Call the local poison control center if you believe your child has eaten something tainted. •Flush eyes with cool water should face paint, glitter or shaving cream get into them. •Prepare for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns and sidewalks and placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways or landings. Tips for Drivers •Slow down in residential neighborhoods (at least five miles under the speed limit) to give yourself time to react to trick-or-treaters who might dart into the street, especially mid-block or from between parked cars. •Broaden your visual scanning- look to your right and left, into front yards and onto porches. •Watch carefully for small superheroes, vampires and goblins in dark costumes walking on the road, medians and curbs; they can be hard to see after dark. •Use caution when exiting driveways and alleyways. •Turn on your vehicle's headlights, even during the day. They make you more visible.
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