SOON THE GHOULS AND GOBLINS OF HALLOWEEN NIGHT WILL PROWL NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS IN SEARCH OF TREATS. THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) WANTS TO ENSURE THAT CANDLE FLAMES FROM JACK-O-LANTERNS, DECORATIVE OBSTACLES ON THE PORCH OR LAWN, AND SHARP EDGES ON COSTUMES AND ACCESSORIES DON’T KEEP KIDS FROM ENJOYING THIS ANNUAL TRADITION OF TRICK-OR-TREATING.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING BURNS FROM FLAMMABLE COSTUMES AND LACERATIONS RELATED TO PUMPKIN CARVING LEAD THE LIST OF HALLOWEEN-RELATED INJURIES.
“USING INHERENTLY FLAME-RESISTANT FABRICS IN HOME-MADE COSTUMES AND USING BATTERY-OPERATED CANDLES WHEN DECORATING THE HOUSE FOR HALLOWEEN CAN HELP KEEP CHILDREN SAFE,” SAID CPSC CHAIRMAN INEZ TENENBAUM.
MAKE THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY A SAFE ONE BY FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE SAFETY TIPS:
COSTUMES WHEN PURCHASING COSTUMES, MASKS, BEARDS AND WIGS, LOOK FOR FLAME-RESISTANT FABRICS SUCH AS NYLON OR POLYESTER, OR LOOK FOR THE LABEL “FLAME RESISTANT.” FLAME-RESISTANT FABRICS WILL RESIST BURNING AND SHOULD EXTINGUISH QUICKLY. TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CONTACT WITH CANDLES AND OTHER FIRE SOURCES, AVOID COSTUMES MADE WITH FLIMSY MATERIALS AND OUTFITS WITH BIG, BAGGY SLEEVES OR BILLOWING SKIRTS. PURCHASE OR MAKE COSTUMES THAT ARE LIGHT, BRIGHT AND CLEARLY VISIBLE TO MOTORISTS. FOR GREATER VISIBILITY DURING DUSK AND DARKNESS, DECORATE OR TRIM COSTUMES WITH REFLECTIVE TAPE THAT WILL GLOW IN THE BEAM OF A CAR’S HEADLIGHTS. BAGS OR SACKS ALSO SHOULD BE LIGHT-COLORED OR DECORATED WITH REFLECTIVE TAPE. REFLECTIVE TAPE IS USUALLY AVAILABLE IN HARDWARE, BICYCLE AND SPORTING GOODS STORES. CHILDREN SHOULD CARRY FLASHLIGHTS TO SEE AND BE SEEN. COSTUMES SHOULD FIT WELL AND NOT DRAG ON THE GROUND TO GUARD AGAINST TRIPS AND FALLS. CHILDREN SHOULD WEAR WELL-FITTING, STURDY SHOES. OVERSIZED HIGH HEELS ARE NOT A GOOD IDEA.
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