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Halloween safety tips

Here are some tips from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to make sure all those little ghosts and goblins enjoy a safe Halloween:

• Be sure that at least one adult accompanies children at all times, with a definite route and timetable set before leaving for trick-or-treating. If you're going door-to-door, select a route that has adequate street lighting.

• Try to complete the route before dark. If darkness falls and a few more houses are beckoning, have a flashlight or chemical glow stick handy, but never candles or torches.

• Approach only those houses with outside lights on. Not only are youngsters safer in a well-lighted place, but they also may be more welcome. Often homeowners who don't wish to participate in the trick-or-treat ritual leave porch lights off as a signal. Respect their wishes and go on to the next home.

• Remember common-sense traffic rules: Stay on sidewalks, walk facing traffic, obey all traffic signals and cross streets only at intersections or crosswalks.

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Place reflective tape on both the front and back of each costume and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

• Use makeup on children's faces rather than allowing them to wear masks, which are hard to see through and can make breathing difficult.

• Be certain that all parts of costumes are flame-retardant, including wigs, beards and capes.

• The costume should fit well so that the child can't snag the costume or trip, causing injury. It's a good idea to carry along a small first aid kit for scraped knees or other minor injuries. Costumes should be appropriate for the weather so that trick-or-treaters stay warm, dry and comfortable.

• Be certain that no treats are eaten until an adult inspects them, discarding any unwrapped or suspicious-looking items.

• Trick-or-treat bags should hang from children's shoulders so that hands are free.

• Consider having a Halloween party at home or attend a civic group's well-planned haunted house or a merchant association's shopping mall or downtown district party. Each year more safety-conscious groups have Halloween events planned for youngsters to give them an alternative to trick-or-treating house-to-house.

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Volusia County, Florida.