Halloween safety tips from BCSO

Sheriff Van Duncan reminds all Buncombe County residents to follow these safety tips:

Motorists:

* Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

* Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

* Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

* At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents:

* Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

* Check the sex offender registry at www.ncdoj.gov when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood, and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.

* Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.

* Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group.

* Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.

* Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.

* Establish a return time.

* Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

* Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

* All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

* Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Costume Design:

* Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.

* Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.

* Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.

* Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls.

* If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

Face Design:

* Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead.

* When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application.

* If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Accessories:

 * Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

* Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.

* Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

While Trick-or-Treating:

* Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.

* Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.

* Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.

* Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

Treats:

* Give children an early meal before going out.

* Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

* Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.

* Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped, or has a strange odor, color or texture.

Homeowners/Decorations:

* Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.

* Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.

* Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could catch fire.

* Do not leave your house unattended.

"Halloween is a fun time in Buncombe County,”  Duncan concluded, "But let’s make it a safe time as well. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes"