Kids will be trick-or-treating next Monday night and Jason Kerkman, Safe Kids Nebraska Coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, wants them to be safe when they do.
Kerkman says trick-or-treating should be done in groups and those groups need to be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible sibling.
Kids should only trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods at well-lit homes.
Kerkman says trick-or-treaters should have reflective tape on their costumes or candy buckets so drivers can see them better.
He says drivers need to slow down on Monday and be aware there will be kids in the streets.
Kerkman says parents should ensure that costumes are well-fitting and that kids can move freely in them.
"To avoid tripping and falling, make sure headgear fits properly and that shoes fit properly and are staying on. With face paints and makeups, you don’t want them to restrict vision. With toy weapons, we all love good props, but you want to make sure that the toy props are made of a softer material and are appropriate for the age of the person.”
Kerkman says parents need to inspect all candy and treats to be sure they are sealed and don’t show signs of tampering. Kids should never accept baked goods or unwrapped treats.
For more Halloween Safety Tips, the website is safekids.org/Halloween.