COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Experts at a U.S. hospital remind parents their Halloween trick-or-treaters are in greater danger from traffic than from tainted candy.
Doctors at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, advise parents to accompany their children while trick-or-treating and remind them to walk carefully, stay on sidewalks and cross streets at crosswalks or well-lighted intersections. Parents should take along a flashlight but try to get home before dark.
Other trick-or-treat safety suggestions include:
-- Getting a costume large enough to be worn over warm clothes that is not a tripping hazard or has wigs or other parts that interfere with walking and seeing.
-- Choosing flame resistant and colorful costumes that reflect light and can be seen easily by drivers. Use make-up or face paint rather than a mask, which can obscure vision.
-- Making sure children eat before going out trick-or-treating and taking along a few healthy treats for snacking since no child should eat any candy until going home and having an adult check it for tampering. The candy wrapper should be intact on all candy and fruit should be undamaged, washed and cut before eating. Children should not eat homemade treats unless the parent knows and trusts the person who made them.
