This Halloween, stay safe from scary surprises.

Oct. 16, 2009 - Whether it’s ghosts and goblins or Freddy and Jason, everyone’s afraid of something. And Halloween is a favorite time of year for hair-raising, bone-chilling and goose-bumping. But while most scares are harmless fun, others can have more frightening consequences.

Are you prepared to enjoy a spirited yet safe All Hallow’s Eve? Take this Halloween safety quiz to find out. And to steer clear of Halloween hazards, check out these not-so-haunted hints.
Halloween safety tips for parties

* If you’re using dry ice in a punch bowl, make sure to keep the chips out — if ingested, they can cause severe injury. Refer to these safety suggestions from the National Weather Service.
* Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.

Halloween safety tips for drivers, parents and children

Review these trick-or-treating safety tips, based on suggestions from the the National Safety Council.

Drivers:

* Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
* Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
* At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents:

* Have an adult or responsible older child supervise trick-or-treating outings for kids under 12.
* Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
* Use a flashlight to help you see and others see you.
* Only walk on the sidewalk, if available, or far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
* Remind kids never to enter a stranger's home.
* Tell children to refrain from eating any treats until they get home.

Costume design:

* Get costumes made of fire-retardant materials.
* Make sure they’re loose so warm layers can be worn underneath.
* If kids will be out after dark, use light-colored materials or retro-reflective tape to increase visibility.

Treats:

* Feed kids an early meal before trick-or-treating begins.
* Inspect all treats before any are eaten.
* If fruit is received, wash it and slice into small pieces.
* When in doubt, throw it out.

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