(NAPSA)—Halloween brings out ghosts, goblins, candy corn, pumpkins and many trick-ortreaters. While children scour the neighborhoods in a quest for candy, it’s important to take precautions to make sure they stay safe on this spookiest of eves. Below are several tips to help ensure a happy Halloweenforall: * Carve the pumpkin. Be careful when carving your jack-olantern so you don’t get cut with the knife. Children should draw the face on their pumpkin using a marker and then ask an adult to makethe cuts. * It’s about costume. Costumes come in all shapes and sizes— scary or cute, store-bought or homemade. Unfortunately, they don’t always fit correctly, which could make them a hazard. Use Duck brand duct tape to easily and temporarily tailor the costumeto the child wearing it. With 19 colors of Duck Tape available (www.ducktapeclub.com), you can shorten the sleeves or hem the pants in a color that nobody will ever notice. When you get home after trick-or-treating, remove the tape, and the costume will be ready for use again in the future. * The visible problem. If a child’s costume contains a mask or anything that partially covers the eyes, make sure they can see out of the eyeholes clearly. It’s better to be a villain without a mask than a villain who trips over everything. * Plan ahead. Always accompany young children on their route. For older children, plan a safe route and set a time when they should return home. Also, encourage them to use the buddy system, stay in well-lit areas and not to cut through alleys, fields and backyards. * Reflect! Make sure trick-ortreaters are visible to cars. Give them a flashlight or glow stick, or add somestrips of Duck brand Reflective Tape (www.duckprod ucts.com) to their costume and candy bag so they can be seen. Look for tape and other reflective items in the automotive department at most stores. * Practice street safety. Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street and to pay attention to the streetlights, crossing only when signaled. In addition, reinforce to children not to talk to or get into cars with strangers. If they see something suspicious, they should tell an adult immediately. * Don’t forget manners! Encourage children to say “trick-ortreat” when someone answers the door, and “thank you”after they receive their treat. In addition, have them wait their turn if there’s a line, and remind them to stand outside the door and never to enter the house. * Check before it’s eaten. Always check trick-or-treaters’ loot before they dig in. Throw out items that are openedor not storewrapped. To reduce the temptation to eat candy along the way, feed your trick-or-treaters before they leave. Halloween is a great time to get dressed up and have fun. An accident or injury can put a damper on your holiday, so practice safety, take precautions and have a fun-filled Halloween.
