1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (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

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Halloween: Don't Let Cars and Kids Go Bump in the Night

Safe Kids Kansas offers Halloween safety tips

Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year, and Safe Kids Kansas reminds parents and caregivers to make sure children going trick-or-treating are walking safely and staying visible to drivers.

"All the usual rules of pedestrian safety still apply," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. "Walk, don't run. Cross the street only at a crosswalk or corner, after looking both ways, and never dart out into the street."

In addition, children under age 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

"Naturally, kids will be excited, and they'll need active supervision," says Stegelman. "Older kids who have demonstrated the maturity and good judgment to go trick-or-treating with friends, without adult supervision, should stick to a predetermined route with good lighting."

Costumes and bags should be decorated with retroreflective tape and, if possible, made of light colors. Kids can carry glow sticks or flashlights to be more visible to drivers.

"Drivers can do their part by being especially careful in residential neighborhoods," says Stegelman. "Slow down and look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs."

Other Halloween safety tips include:

• Falls: Costumes should be short enough to avoid tripping, and shoes and headgear should fit properly. Choose face paint and makeup because they do not restrict vision as masks do. Toy weapons and other props should be flexible so they do not present an injury hazard if the child falls. Do not let children cut across yards, where stones, lawn ornaments and other hazards may be hard to see in the dark. Keep your own doorsteps and porch well lit.
• Burns: Make sure store-bought costumes and accessories are labeled "flame resistant," and use flame-resistant material when making costumes. Avoid baggy, flimsy or billowing costumes. Keep jack-o'-lanterns that are lit with candles away from doorsteps and walkways, and consider using glow sticks instead of candles.
• Choking: Parents should inspect candy and treats to make sure they are sealed and have no signs of tampering. Children under age 6 should not be given hard candy or other small, round items.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.

www.kansassafekids.org