Children love Halloween! Costumes, trick-or-treating and loads of candy make this day a kid favorite. But with all the excitement, safety can take a backseat. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. And other common injuries like falls, burns and choking keep the emergency rooms busy and families more scared than originally planned.

So be sure to discuss the importance of preventing injuries related to Halloween with your family and friends. Review my 4 C’s of Halloween safety:

Costumes

• Make sure costumes fit properly to avoid trips and falls.

• Check that the costume is flame resistant.

•Make sure your child can see well in his mask, especially in the dark

Cars/Curbs-pedestrian safety

• See and be seen (American Academy of Pediatrics)

• Drivers slow down, use lights and watch carefully for pedestrians, avoid distractions and impairment

• Pedestrians wear reflective materials or use flashlights, look both ways before crossing the street, assist small children, walk on the sidewalks or walk facing traffic

Candy

• Instruct your children to “wait until you get home” before eating any treats

• Don’t eat home made treats

• Inspect treats for tampering

• Remove treats that may contain allergens (for children with food allergies)

• Set a candy limit per day (sugar and cavity control!)

Clan

• Don’t trick-or-treat alone (safety in numbers)

• Supervise children under 12

Remember these tips for a fun and scary night without boo-boos!

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