Treat Yourself: Be Safe

SOUTHERN MARYLAND - 10/30/2008

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Trick-or-Treaters and Halloween parties will help usher in Halloween across Southern Maryland Friday evening. The Charles County Sheriffs Office, Maryland State Highway Administration along with Maryland State Fire Marshals have put together a few safety tips before heading out on the town. For Trick-or-Treaters: • Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult and older children should never trick-or-treat alone. • Be careful crossing the streets; cross at the corner and be sure to look both ways. • Stay to the side of the street or, where possible, on a sidewalk. • Visit only homes you know. • Do not eat candy that has not been inspected by a trusted adult and do not eat any homemade treats or  un-packaged foods like fruit. • Never cut across yards or use alleys as short cuts. • Never accept food or drink from strangers. • Never enter a stranger’s home or car. • Only visit well-lit homes. • Carry a flashlight. • Make sure your costume has something reflective on it so you’re visible to passing  motorists, that is short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement and contact with flames, and that it is flame resistant. Remember to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if your costume catches fire. • Carry with you your emergency contact information. • Obey traffic signals. • Do not trick-or-treat past 8 p.m. • Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.) • Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency. When Giving Candy: • Offer only wrapped or packaged candy. • Never give homemade treats. Not only are the ingredients not listed — a threat to children with food allergies — but parents are skeptical of these. Also, stay away from un-packaged foods like fruit. • Remember that children are going to get A LOT of candy. Don’t forget other possible gifts like crazy pencils, one-serving cereal boxes, stickers — and toothpaste! • Keep your lights on if you’re participating and be sure to clear a safe path for trick-or-treaters. Remove items such as hoses and wet leaves to prevent falling and injury. When Inspecting Candy: • When in doubt, throw it out. • Use your best judgment. Do not let children eat any homemade treats or un-packaged items. • Make sure candy is tightly wrapped. If it looks like it was unwrapped and then re-wrapped, don’t let your children eat it. • Use caution, but not paranoia. For Motorists: • Be cognizant of trick-or-treaters, pedestrians and pets as you drive through residential areas. • Stop at all crosswalks. • Remember, the posted speed limit is 25 mph through most residential areas, but that doesn’t mean you must drive that fast. Slow down, especially in areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic. • As always, don’t drink and drive. TBN wishes all of our readers a safe and happy Halloween!

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