Safety measures protect kids on Halloween

Simple precautions such as adding reflective tape to costumes and accompanying young children as they go from door to door will help families avoid problems this Halloween, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Other safety tips include using face paint instead of masks so kids can see better, wearing flame resistant wigs and costumes, and using flashlights with fresh batteries.

However, Dr. Robert Sege, member of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on injury, violence and poisoning prevention, told Reuters Health that Halloween is generally a safe evening, that encourages children to get to know their community. "I think it's a wonderful holiday," he said.

That said, accidents can happen, so the American Academy of Pediatrics has released a list of safety tips adults can follow to make sure their children have a happy and healthy Halloween.

Other recommendations include:

-Choose bright and reflective costumes. Also, outfits that are too long can put kids at risk of tripping or catching on fire if they pass by an open flame.

-Make sure accessories like a sword, cane or stick are not too sharp or long.

-Let older children go without an adult as long as they plan and review their route beforehand, and agree on a return time.

In an interview, Sege said that he is most concerned about pedestrian safety for young children, who may be too excited by the holiday to watch the road. He advised adults to warn children about running into the road from between parked cars, which may block their view of oncoming cars, and to watch for overexcited children.

"Beware there are little kids darting around the place, who are very excited, not thinking," Sege said.

Other safety tips include:

-Ask trick-or-treaters to stay in a group, carry a mobile phone, and only visit homes with a lit porch light.

-Keep children on well-lit streets, on sidewalks, and have everybody cross as a group in established crosswalks, if available.

Sege added that, for parents of overweight children, Halloween can be a tricky holiday. He recommended limiting the number of neighborhoods kids can visit, and perhaps doling out a little bit of kids' sugary loot at a time - kids may eventually forget they have it.

He noted that often kids enjoy the process of accumulating candy as much as they like eating it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that parents provide kids with a good meal before trick-or-treating, and throw away any food items that appear spoiled or suspicious.