1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Kansas SAFE KIDS Warns Trick-or-Treaters to be
Safe on the Streets as Daylight Savings Time Ends

Halloween may be even scarier this year because daylight savings time comes to an end on Oct. 31. Not only does turning the clock back snatch an hour from the holiday, but it also poses a greater risk to child pedestrians, since kids are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year.

"Whether children are trick-or-treating or walking to school, it's important for families to review safety tips together," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of Kansas SAFE KIDS. "Many of the risks child pedestrians face can be avoided if parents discuss important safety precautions with their kids before they leave the house."

As children race from house to house collecting treats, it is important for them to take the following precautions:

Visibility:

• Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with retroreflective tape and stickers.
• Use costumes that are light or bright enough to make children more visible at night .
• Consider using glow sticks or flashlights to make yourself more visible.

Traffic:

• Teach children to walk, not run, while trick-or-treating.
• Remind children to stop at all street corners before crossing. Tell them to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks .
• Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.

Motorists:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods.
• Look for pedestrians at intersections before making turns.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.

For younger kids:

• Adults should accompany children under age 12 on their trick-or-treat rounds.
• Attach the name, address and phone number (including area code) of children under age 12 to their clothes, in case they get separated from adults.
• Parents should bring treats home and check them to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed.

For older kids:

• Make sure your children have change for a phone call in case they have a problem away from home.
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along a pre-established route.
• Instruct children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult.
• At home:
• Remove breakable items or obstacles such as tools, ladders and children's toys from your steps, lawn and porch .
• Keep walkways, steps and landings well-lit.

Falls & Burns:

• Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face . They are safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision. If a mask is worn, be sure it fits securely. Cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision.
• Dress children in shoes that fit . Adult shoes are not safe for trick-or-treaters, because they make it easier to trip and fall.
• Teach children not to cut across yards . It's hard to see hazards like lawn ornaments and clotheslines in the dark.
• Look for "flame resistant" labels on costumes, masks, beards and wigs.
• Use fire-resistant material when making costumes.
• Avoid costumes made of flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves and skirts .
• Avoid placing pumpkins with candles on porches, near walkways or on stairs where children might brush up against them. Always keep candles, matches and lighters out of children's reach.

For more information on Halloween and other child safety matters, visit www.safekids.org .

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties, as well as Chanute, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita.