Keep children safe on Halloween

Just because Halloween celebrates scary things doesn’t mean children want any safety scares of their own.

With a little bit of planning and these five tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center, parents can ensure their ghouls and goblins have a frightfully fun time this year.

•Look up the local trickor-treating time and rules. Plot out a map of safe neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Let older children take the map with them if they’re trickor-treating on their own.

•Stick reflective tape on dark costumes—it will help drivers see children. Make sure kids can see clearly. Face paint may work better than a mask when it comes to visibility.

•Pick a perfect pumpkin for carving. It should be sturdy, not soft, with a flat bottom so it doesn’t topple over. For parents worried about carving accidents, encourage children to paint creative faces on their pumpkins instead.

•Consider using batterypowered lights instead of candles to light the way for trick-or-treating or in jack-o’lanterns, especially around little children who could get burned or drapery that could catch fire.

•Screen candy before children eat it. Toss out anything with opened or damaged wrappers and any homemade treats, unless the giver is known personally.

For more tips on having a safe, healthy and fun Halloween, visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov and search the site for “Halloween.”

This story was provided by the Federal Citizen Informa tion Center.