Some Halloween costumes and decorations are meant to be scary, but Arkansans can take certain precautions to avoid unnecessary scares, according to a news release from Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
“Trick-or-treating is a fun activity for all kids,” Rutledge said. “But as adults, we need to also remember to keep them safe. This includes visiting trusted neighborhoods, choosing a safe costume and staying visible while on the streets.”
Rutledge released tips to parents to avoid unexpected and unnecessary problems on Halloween:
• Select flame-resistant materials, masks, beards and wigs and try to avoid baggy sleeves and billowing skirts.
• Choose costumes with light or bright colors or trim a darker costume with reflective tape. Consider also having children carry flashlights to make sure they can see the walking path and are visible to drivers.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• To avoid tripping and falling, choose costumes that fit well and do not drag on the ground.
• Make sure masks fit securely, have adequate ventilation and provide unobstructed views. Consider applying make-up to children’s faces instead of loose-fitting masks.
• Swords, knives and other accessories should be made of soft and flexible materials.
• Take children to familiar neighborhoods and approach only homes with outside lighting.
• Remind children of everyday safety rules, such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing with the stop light at an intersection when they are trick-or-treating.
• Adults should always accompany small children to caution them against running into streets and across lawns or driveways. They should use sidewalks where available.
• Encourage children to wait until they get home to eat candy so that adults can inspect the goodies.
• Parents should throw away any treats that are not commercially wrapped or appear to be tampered with.
• Drivers should also keep an eye out for children darting out from between parked cars or walking on roadways, curbs or streets. Moving vehicles can be the biggest danger. Motorists should enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully and watch attentively for children in dark clothing at dusk.
For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at 800-482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.