"Lucky 13" Steps to Halloween Safety

1. Map out the route that your children plan to roam, so adults are assured they will find their way home! 
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door but, please, don't go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark!  (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don't hide between parked vehicles).
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you're done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

First Aid and CPR classes are available weekly in the Tri-County Red Cross Plainfield and Elizabeth offices, alternating weeks.  More information on safety and other disaster preparedness is available on our website at http://www.tricountyredcross.org .

For a detailed list of Halloween safety tips for motorists, parents and homeowners, contact Corinna Krauskopf of the Tri-County Red Cross at (908) 756-6414