Posted on: Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Remember: For trick-or-treaters, it's safety first
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
David Shinbara remembers trick-or-treating as a kid in Kane'ohe, riding his bike from neighborhood to neighborhood.
No adults, no flashlights, no worries.
Now 40 and a father of a 2-year-old, Shinbara has a different perspective on life.
"Back then, the biggest thing (we worried about) was razor blades in apples or poisoned candy," said Shinbara, a computer analyst.
So this year he's taking his son, Noah — who'll be matching his parents in the uniform of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter — to an alternative Halloween event at First Assembly of God Honolulu.
It's a safe environment, and Shinbara wants to support his church's effort to provide a safe alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating.
It's a different world out there from a generation ago. Parents are less likely to send their children out into the streets on Halloween night unattended, armed with just a flashlight and an empty bag.
"Maybe we just weren't as aware when we were younger, because the same rules applied back then," said Capt. Kenison Tejada, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department. "But now we're a little more responsible. We're the ones watching over our children. It's our duty as parents and as part of emergency services."
Here's a safety checklist:
FOR MOTORISTS
Watch for children darting between parked cars.
Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways carefully.
At twilight or later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
FOR PARENTS
Have a pre-planned, well lit trick-or-treat route for your kids to follow.
Have an adult or responsible teenager accompany young trick-or-treaters. Make sure they know to stay with the group.
Talk to your kids about safety guidelines they should always follow, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
Give kids flashlights and add reflective tape to their costumes.
Tell your kids what to do if they're approached by strangers.
Make sure your children only travel in familiar areas and stick to the established route.
Remind them to never enter a stranger's home and only approach homes and apartments that are well lit.
Set a specific time when your children should be home. Give them your cell phone or enough change to use a pay telephone, in case of emergencies.
Remind your kids to be courteous and say "Thank you."
COSTUMES
Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes. Check the labels.
Costumes should be highly visible to motorists. Make sure they're bright and have reflective tape on them. Avoid dark costumes.
Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Facial makeup can be a better option. If your child does wear a mask, cut the eye holes so they are extra large to maximize vision.
Make sure the costume fits well. If any fabric is in the way of their feet, trim, pin or hem it. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
Pointed objects such as swords should be made of soft, flexible material. Don't allow children to use any sharp or pointed objects.
Trick-or-treaters should wear comfortable shoes.
ABOUT TREATS
Have your kids eat dinner before trick-or-treating so they're not tempted to eat candy while collecting it.
Tell your kids to bring home all the treats for inspection before eating them.
Throw out anything that appears tampered with, homemade treats or home-packaged treats unless you are certain of the source.
Toss candy that has an open or ripped wrapper.
Inspect fruit carefully and take away treats that may not be age-appropriate. Youngsters may choke on things like hard candy, gum or peanuts.
If you discover any dangerous items in the treats, report it immediately to the police, and keep it for evidence.
Story sources: Halloween Express, Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, National Safety Council.
Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
