Halloween is a time of unique fun, but experts say the fun will be spoiled when things go bad.
Dawn Robinson of Oneida County Emergency Management has some trick-or-treating tips...
"...Make sure costumes are made of flame retardant material. If possible, choose light-colored clothes and use reflective tape to decorate costumes and candy bags to help increase the visibility of children to drivers and other people. Use makeup rather than a mask, but if the costume has a mask, make sure it fits well, and the eye holes are big enough for a child to see..."
Robinson says children under age 12 should not be alone when trick-or-treating. She says everyone should have a flashlight and only go to a well-lit front porch. She says motorists should slow down when trick-or-treaters are present.
Robinson says kids are often tempted to dart out into the street. She says all the treats should be checked over thoroughly....
"..When in doubt, throw anything out that looks suspicious..."
The National Safety Council says children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Research reveals almost 18 percent of these deaths occurred at road crossings or intersections. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these deaths.
