Kids twice as likely to be killed by car on Halloween

HIXSON, Texas, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The American College of Emergency Physicians says U.S. children are twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night.

Doctors recommend children carry flashlights, and stick reflective tape all over costumes and treat bags so drivers can easily spot them. They also advise to dress kids in glow-in-the-dark costumes so they really stand out and keep children on the sidewalk and out of the street because many drivers are impaired on Halloween.

The American Family Care/Doctors Express Urgent Care Centers, a privately owned urgent care operator, suggest:

-- Costume weapons should be made only of flexible material. Doctors say they see a lot of accidental stabbings and even eye wounds when trick-or-treaters accidentally pierce someone with these costume accessories.

-- Forget lighting pumpkins with a candle because they're a real fire hazard. Imagine the danger when children dressed in flowing ghost and princess outfits walk up the steps, knock over a pumpkin and catch their costume on fire.

-- Replace real flame candles with battery operated candles.

-- Make sure to read costume labels carefully and dress children only in "flame resistant" materials.

-- Makeup, body paint and contact lenses can cause serious allergic reactions and infections. Test makeup and body paint on a section of the arm to make sure there is no reaction.

-- Dressed in outlandish costumes and masks, Halloween partygoers and trick-or-treaters can trip, fall and hurt themselves. The National Safety Council says falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury on Halloween.

-- Make sure eye openings on masks are wide enough so wearers can see clearly. Be careful of decorative high heels or wacky shoes and slippers that make it difficult to walk.

-- Children should keep costumes as tight fitting and as short as possible so they don't trip.

-- Teach children to hold out their hand for their treat. Dozens and dozens of dirty hands digging in a basket or bag of candy can result in a child scooping out a handful of germs.