SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Dr. Eric E. Whitaker,state public health director, reminded motorists to slow down and keep an eye out for ghosts and goblins on Halloween and urged parents to take special precautions to ensure their child's safety while trick-or-treating.

"Using safety tips and common sense can make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for kids," Dr. Whitaker said. "Young children are understandably excited to trick-or-treat and sometimes they forget to be careful. Particular attention should be paid to crossing streets and taking precautions to protect children from falls."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four times as many children 5 to 14 years of age are killed on Halloween evening compared to any other night of the year either through falls, being hit by a vehicle or other accidents.

"Parents need to make sure their children can see and can be seen," Dr. Whitaker said. "Their costumes should be light in color or reflective and not interfere with their ability to see, and they should carry a flashlight. Parents also should supervise their school-aged children and talk to them about safety before they go trick-or-treating."

To make sure a child's Halloween is safe, Dr. Whitaker suggested the following tips:

TREATS

• Parents should inspect all treats, and throw away any unwrapped or loosely wrapped items.
• Homemade items or baked goods should be discarded unless you personally know who gave them.
• Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies and small toys.
• Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers. Dispose of anything that looks suspicious.

COSTUMES

• Costumes should be flame retardant.
• Use face paint instead of masks, which can interfere with a child's vision.
• The child's names, address and telephone number should be written inside of clothing, where it is not visible.
• Accessories should be flexible and made of soft material, not sharp or pointed.

PARENTS ALSO SHOULD … · Supervise children younger than 12 years of age. · Not send children out on an empty stomach. You don't want kids munching on treats before there is a chance to inspect them. · Plan a trick-or-treating route before children leave and set a return time. · Give children change in case they need to make a phone call.

CHILDREN SHOULD …

• Wait to eat candy until it has been inspected by their parents.
• Not ride bicycles, which could catch costumes in the chains and spokes.
• Travel in groups when adult supervision is not provided.
• Use flashlights and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Not run between parked cars.
• Only go to well-lit houses and remain outside while waiting for treats.

MOTORISTS SHOULD …

• Slow down, especially in residential areas.
• Watch for children darting out from parked cars.
• Use child safety seat or seatbelts when driving children around. Have children get out of cars on the curbside.

HOMEOWNERS SHOULD …

• Turn on an outside light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.
• Clear walkways and yards.
• Keep dogs and other animals inside and away from the door.