Safety tips for trick or treaters

I’m sure most children are looking forward to Halloween.
The city of Eunice will recognize Halloween with Trick or Treat hours 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29.
Other activities on the same evening include: the third annual Downtown Second Street merchants Trick or Treat.
Extreme Fun, hosted by Freedom Baptist Church, welcomes children at the Northwest Community Center, and a Harvest Festival sponsored by Word Ministries invites all kids.
When I think of Halloween, I think of safety for our kids. Call me old-fashioned- call me Nervous Gervis, but I don’t want to hear or see about any accidents happening on Halloween. It should be all about fun, receiving treats and candy, and enjoying a family-fun night.
The following, courtesy of Newspaper Metro, gives trick or treat safety tips:
As thousands of children prepare to embark on their trick-or-treating jaunts in neighborhoods near and far, it is best to once again revisit safety tips that can help ensure this Halloween is enjoyable and injury-free.
— Visibility: Visibility is key when donning a Halloween costume. Children should be dressed in highly visible costumes so drivers can easily see them.
Parents and chaperones also should be dressed in bright colors. Reflective tape and flashlights also make pedestrians more visible to oncoming cars.
· Routes: Children and adults should plan their trick-or-treating routes ahead of time. This way they kids can be found quickly if they are separated from their groups, and parents can choose safe neighborhoods.
Choose neighborhoods and paths that have the least amount of automobile traffic.
— Walk, don’t run. Trick-or-treaters should stick to sidewalks and only cross the street at intersection crosswalks.
Make sure kids know to avoid darting out between cars or cutting across lawns and driveways. When darkness sets in, fast-moving children can be difficult to see.
— Visit only lit houses. Residents who don’t want to answer the door will typically leave their homes’ exterior lights off.
Only visit homes that are decorated, bright and welcoming to trick-or-treaters.
· Go in groups. Children should go out in groups and always be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
— Costume safety: Everyone should wear well-fitted costumes that do not drag on the floor or impede mobility.
Choose face paint over masks so that vision is not obscured.
— Beware of fire hazards. Keep clear of jack-o-lanterns that are lit by real flames. Homeowners can opt for LED lights or other, safer methods of illumination rather than candles and open flames.