Charleston County News Release
MEDIA CONTACT
Name: Bobbi Jo O’Neal, Coroner’s Office
Phone: (843) 746-4030
Release Number: 2939
Date: October 29, 2008
Charleston County Issues Halloween Safety Tips
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has some safety tips to share in order to help make this year’s Halloween (Friday, Oct. 31) a safe and enjoyable event for all of the County’s residents.
“Roughly four times as many children ages five to 14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings during the year,” said Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten. “Additionally, falls are a leading cause of injury among children on Halloween. Our goal is to educate the public to prevent any of these tragedies this year.”
According to Wooten, many Halloween-related injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise their school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities.
Parents can help prevent children from being injured on Halloween by following these safety tips that were compiled from Web sites of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council:
Costume Safety
Use make-up or face paint instead of masks. If masks are used, make sure they fit properly and have openings large enough around the mouth, nose and eyes.
Choose costumes that are marked as “flame resistant.”
Make sure costumes are short enough in length to prevent tripping.
Wear light-colored clothing at night or use reflective tape on dark-colored costumes.
Make props such as magic wands and swords out of cardboard rather than metal or wood to avoid injuries.
Trick-or-Treat Safety
Have emergency information such your child’s name, address and phone number attached to the costume.
Start out in daylight and carry a flashlight when trick-or-treating. Travel in small groups accompanied by an adult.
Stay on sidewalks; do not walk in the roadway.
Cross streets at the corner and use cross walks; don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
Remember to look left, right and left again before crossing a street.
Don’t assume you have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops doesn’t mean others will also stop for you.
Never cut across people’s yards or use alleys.
Stop only at familiar locations and well-lit houses; remain on porches instead of going inside someone’s home to get treats.
Treats should not be eaten until they are thoroughly inspected by an adult at home.