Red Cross Says Play it Safe this Halloween

ROME-With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross Rome Area Chapter offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on the sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms. (And cross only from the corner).
• You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars. (And don't hide or cross the street between parked vehicles).
• Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing for greater visibility in the dark. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
• Map out your route and have an adult accompany children.
• From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should carry a flashlight to light the way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Monsters and xombies should stay off the lawn, and visit homes that have well lit hallways or the porch lights turned on.
• Accept treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.
• When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover the eyes.
• You may be dressed as werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious of animals (especially dogs) and strangers.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble.
• Have a grown-up inspect treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Remember, too, that small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.