Halloween Safety by www.clubmom.com

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Checklist: Halloween Safety
Halloween is supposed to be thrilling (goblins and witches and ghouls, oh my!), but the very real hazards of bad candy, careless drivers, and unattended jack-'o-lanterns can send even the most laid-back parent running scared. This checklist can show you how to make this a safe night for everyone--without cutting back on the fun.

Costumes:
Make sure costumes are flame-resistant.
Keep costumes close-cropped--not long or billowy--to minimize the risk of tripping, entanglement, or contact with flames.
Consider non-toxic face paint and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks, which can limit or obscure eyesight.
If your child does wear a mask, make sure it fits securely, is well ventilated, and has eyeholes large enough to allow good vision.
Choose brightly colored costumes and goodie bags for greater visibility in dusk and darkness.
Decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.
Make sure children wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
Make sure hats and scarves are tied or fit securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
Think twice before using simulated knives, guns, or swords. If such props are a must, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within your child's costume or on a bracelet.
Give older children flashlights with fresh batteries. All adult escorts should carry flashlights, too.
Trick or treating:
Discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
Plan and review with older children the trick-or-treating route they will take.
Make sure a parent or responsible adult accompanies younger children on all their neighborhood rounds.
If your children are older and going unaccompanied or with another parent, agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
You or another adult should make sure to be easily reachable while the kids are out trick-or-treating.
Give older kids change--or a cell phone--in case they need to contact you.
Instruct children to call 911 (or the local emergency phone number) in case of an emergency.
Instruct children to notify an adult or law-enforcement authorities immediately if they see any suspicious or unlawful activity.
On streets with no sidewalks, have trick-or-treaters walk at the farthest edge (the left side) of the roadway, facing traffic.
Instruct children to always stay together in a group and communicate with each other about where they're going next.
Insist children remain on well-lit streets, only approach houses with outside lights on, and never enter a stranger's home or car to collect a treat.
Give trick-or-treaters safety rules for walking their route.
* If your town doesn't offer alternatives to residential trick-or-treating, consider hosting a Halloween party at your house for neighborhood kids on the big night in lieu of going door-to-door.
* In some towns, trick-or-treating is done from store to store instead of house to house. Or children trick-or-treat at shops in local malls.
Candy:
Give your kids a favorite, filling meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating.
Since kids can't resist digging into their candy bags en route, pack a pre-approved bag of goodies from home that they can eat while trick-or-treating.
Tell children to never consume food items (including fruit) or drinks that are offered to them.
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
Wait until children are home to sort and check treats.
Never allow children to eat unwrapped or opened candy.
Make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies, gum, or peanuts), are given only to children of an appropriate age.
Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
Preparing your home:
Consider fire safety in all aspects of decorating.
Buy fresh batteries for the smoke alarms throughout your home.
Take extra effort to eliminate tripping or other hazards on your porch and around your property.
Turn on your porch light, front door light, and/or downstairs lights to let trick-or-treaters know they're welcome.
Confine or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of visiting strangers and frightful sights and sounds.
Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) to hand out to children who visit your home.
Learn or review first-aid skills to help a child who is choking.
Notify law enforcement authorities immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity you see or hear.
Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community on Halloween.