Traffic Is Biggest Threat To Kids On Halloween, Safety Advocate Says
BOSTON (CBS) -- To keep kids safe on Halloween, one advocacy group is urging parents to do more than just check the candy for razor blades.
Nancy Cowles, the executive director of Kids In Danger, tells WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Diane Stern that the No. 1 safety concern for trick-or-treaters is traffic.
"The biggest injury pattern we see at Halloween with children is actually traffic accidents," Cowles said. "It's almost the worst day of the year for children getting injured or killed in a collision with a car."
It's hard for motorists to see kids in dark costumes and young ghouls and goblins can also have their own vision obscured by big hoods or masks. Cowles recommends using reflective tape or dressing children in light-colored costumes.
As for the age-old fears about razor blades in the candy, Cowles says that's "kind of a myth." But it's still a good idea to check their bag of candy out, because it could contain something they're allergic to, or choking hazards.
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"You want to watch out the child isn't eating something they may choke on or given a toy that has a small part," Cowles sad. "Tell them not to eat it until they get home when you can have a look at it."
Other safety tips include using battery-powered lights in jack-o-lanterns instead of candles, and dressing up in fire-resistant materials like nylon or polyester.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Diane Stern reports:
