Awareness of potential hazards and to reinforce safe behavior on Halloween night

When carving a pumpkin have your parents or an adult help and make sure you cut away from yourself

Avoid costumes with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts - Design the costume so children can easily walk without tripping or entangling their feet

Children should wear comfortable, well-fitted shoes - High heels are not a good idea

Wigs and beards should be properly attached so they do not get into children's eyes, obscuring vision

Use light colors, decals or reflective tape so that children are visible at night to motorists

Buy flame resistant costumes or make them from flame resistant materials - Don't play near lit jack-o-lanterns

Costumes should be large enough so that warm clothing can be worn underneath if it is cold outside

Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes

Make sure you can see well through your mask - Decorate costumes and treat bags with reflective tape

Natural mask of cosmetics is better than a loose fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision

Sword, knives and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material (Cardboard)

When it comes to street safety always use common sense - NYSP definition of a stranger is anyone you don't know very well or trust

Walk on sidewalks, not streets - If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic

Cross busy streets at an intersection or crosswalk or a well lit area - Wait for proper traffic signals when crossing

Avoid running out between parked cars - Remember, if its raining you are harder to see by a motorist

If riding a bike, it should have reflectors, a headlight and a horn or bell - Remember your helmet

Never take short cuts through backyards, alleys or other not very well lit areas

Save your candy until you get home so it can be checked in a well lit area by your parents

Examine everything you get carefully - Throw away anything unwrapped - Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces, checking it for anything inedible

If anything is suspicious about the treats, report it to your local police agency

Don't go into anyone's house unless you know them - Be very cautious of strangers and strange vehicles

Trick-or-treat in groups and with parents accompanying young children or responsible teenager

Never trick-or-treat alone - Have at least two other people with you - Accept treats only in the doorway - Never go inside

Trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood and in well lighted streets - Visit only houses where the lights are on

If your going out after dark, make sure you carry a flashlight - It's safer if you go out when its still light out - Walk, Do not run

Let parents know who you will be with and which route you are taking - Take a cellular phone with you if possible - Wear a watch

Be aware of any local laws (Curfew) and NYS Laws - Remember, causing damage to someone else's property is a crime

Remember, sometimes dressing up as a superhero, a scary monster, or a slimy alien from outer space, coupled with the excitement of Halloween

brings out aggressive behavior - Play the Halloween Safety Game Online by going to www.HalloweenMagazine.com

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