Children#039;s Health System urges safety this Halloween

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 28, 2006

Tuesday night is Halloween night and children will be taking the streets of Greenville and Georgiana for Trick-or-Treat.

Trick-or-treat will start at 6 p.m. in both Greenville and Georgiana and will end at 8 p.m.

The following safety tips come courtesy of the Children's Health System in Birmingham:

n Parents should make sure your child's costume is safe from fires (there should be a flame-resistant or flame-retardant label on store-bought costumes, wigs and props (such as magic wands, hats, and tails).

n Costumes shouldn't be baggy or have billowing capes; they could easily catch on fire if you brush against a candle or jack-o-lantern.

n Be aware of open flames and stay away from them (like candles and jack-o-lanterns).

n Parents should make sure costumes are nice and bright so drivers can see them - use reflective tape, a glow stick or carry a flashlight.

n Follow the rules of the road. When crossing the street, stop at the curb or edge of the road. Look left, then right, then left again for moving cars before crossing. Children 10 years old and younger should cross the street with a grown-up.

n Make sure you go to houses of people you know and trust. Staying in your own neighborhood is always a great idea.

Adults should be with children at all times when trick-or-treating.

n Lastly, grown-ups should check a child's candy before they eat it.