Amador County – Sutter Amador Hospital offered safety tips to encourage parents and kids to prepare for a safe Halloween.

Pediatrician David Stone, M.D., of Sutter Amador Pediatric Center, shared some safety tips. Stone said while driving, be especially cautious on Halloween. Kids will dash across a street to a promising house, where treats are better.

Stone said “it can be a frightening night to drive with large groups of young children walking, sometimes running, along your darkened neighborhood streets.”

Costume considerations should be made for safety. “Most kids aren’t used to wearing long skirts, capes or oversized shoes,” he said. “When choosing their costumes, they aren’t considering how well they fit, but how cool they look. As a parent, our job is to be sure they can safely navigate the neighborhood or front yard without landing on their nose.”

Costumes shouldn’t be too long and should be light colored. Reflective tape or a light-up accessory can help make them more visible in the dark.

Masks are dangerous because they limit visibility. Face paint is a better option. If only a mask will do, suggest that it not be worn until after the ringing of the doorbell, and taken off again during travel from the house. Also, try to find one with large nose and mouth openings, with large eye holes.

Preparing your porch for safety includes making the stairs clearly lit and walkways free of obstacles. Stone said trips and falls are the most common injuries on Halloween.

Keep candles out of harm’s way, and try battery-operated lights for worry-free jack o’lanterns and luminaries.

Know where pets will be when visitors approach the door, Stone said. They can get spooked by noise and additional visitors.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.