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Make trick-or-treating a safe, fun time for childrenKansas Aside from the free candy, deciding on a costume is the most exciting part of Halloween for many kids. And when it comes to keeping trick-or-treaters safe, don't overlook the fact that, if not taken seriously, costumes can cause injuries too, said Mike Bradshaw, Kansas State University Research and Extension human wellness and safety specialist. "Pick costumes that are flame retardant so the child will be safe from candlelit-pumpkins on porches and make sure that they can walk freely and won't trip," Bradshaw said. "A good rule of thumb is for the costume not to go past the ankles. Props like swords and knives should be made of flexible material so nobody gets hurt." It's also important that children can see well out of masks so that they won't trip on things and can see cars coming when they're crossing the street, he said. If the eye holes are too small, parents need to cut bigger ones. By applying reflective tape to the costumes and candy bags, parents will make it easy for motorists to see their children in the dark as well. "Before children go out, review safety rules with them, such as which neighborhoods they should or shouldn't go to. Remind them not to enter any homes or apartment complexes and to not approach homes that don't have their porch light on," Bradshaw said. He recommends that children under the age of 12 be accompanied by an adult and that older children be given a cell phone to take with them and a curfew. "Give your kids a meal before they go trick-or-treating to keep them from eating candy before they get home," Bradshaw recommended. "Remind them that it's not safe to eat the candy before they get home and you have a chance to inspect it and wash the fruit." Parents who don't want their children to eat all of their candy in one day can put some of it in a plastic bag in the freezer where it will stay fresh for a later date. ------SIDEBAR------ With the right tools, pumpkin carving can be kid-friendly Kansas Pumpkin carving has always been a good way for parents to bond with their children, but in past generations, kids had to wait until they were older to help with the carving part. "Now there are pumpkin carving tool kits that are designed to make carving easier and safer," said Mike Bradshaw, Kansas State University Research and Extension human wellness and safety specialist. "The kits come with tiny saws that are a lot safer than knives and are easier to handle. With some guidance, children as young as seven or eight could carve safely with these tools. But, that is ultimately the parents' decision." Pumpkin carving kits are fairly inexpensive and typically cost from five dollars for basic kits to thirty dollars for kits with a battery-powered saw, according to http://shoppin.yahoo.com. Date: 10/24/06
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