By Jenny Farley

With ghosts in the window and pumpkins on the porch, it’s time for Halloween. The National Safety Council has tips to help keep you and your children safe.

Costume Do’s & Don’ts:

• Check the label. From head to toe, including wigs, dress in a costume resistant to fire. For handmade costumes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends fabrics made of polyester or nylon.
• Masks are fun but can make it tough to see. Covering your face with non-toxic makeup may be a better choice.
• Test a small amount of makeup on your arm before wearing it to make sure it doesn’t cause a rash, which could be a sign of allergy.
• Wash any makeup off before going to sleep so skin and eyes don’t get irritated.
• Don’t wear contacts that change your eye color unless you have a fitting by an eyeglass professional. Contacts that aren’t FDA approved can cause infection or even blindness so making your eyes glow or look like a werewolf isn’t worth it.

Trick or Treating Common Sense:

• If your kids are going outside at dusk or nightfall, make sure they are easy to spot. Have them wear reflective tape or stickers on their costumes or treat bags. Glow sticks and flashlights work too.
• Don’t let young kids go alone. Know where older kids are going, including a specific route. It’s best to go with friends and stick to locations they know.
• Give kids a curfew so you know when they are expected home.
• Remind your kids to not go inside the homes or cars of strangers.
• Instruct your child to cross the street without running and not to get distracted by their phone.

Road Rules:

The National Safety Council says kids are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than at any other time.

• Watch for children walking in the road, across medians and over curbs. – Be careful and alert entering and leaving driveways.
• If your teen is a new driver, Halloween is not the night to drive.

Candy Confidence:

Kids need to wait until they get home to eat their candy so parents can inspect it.

• To check for signs of tampering, look for wrappers that are torn, faded or have tiny holes. Unsure? Throw it out.
• If your kids are young, remove any choking hazards like gum and nuts from their treat bags.

Food Allergies:

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns Halloween can be challenging for people with food allergies.

• Always read food labels and don’t accept anything that isn’t in a commercial package.
• Be aware that “fun size” or “mini” candy may have different ingredients or be produced on different equipment than candies that are regular sized. Even if your child ate the brand of candy safely before, the smaller sizes could cause an allergic reaction.
• If your child is old enough and knows how to use it, encourage them to carry epinephrine with them and don’t leave it at home. Make sure it is not expired.
• If epinephrine is given and allergic symptoms seem to have resolved, your child still needs to go to the emergency room to make sure.