CPSC Releases Safety Tips to Prevent Halloween-Related Injuries
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2000
Release # 01-019
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
CPSC Releases Safety Tips to Prevent Halloween-Related Injuries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - To help prevent injuries to children this Halloween,
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is releasing safety
tips. Halloween-related injuries can involve burns from flammable
costumes ignited by open flames from items such as candles and jack-o'-
lanterns, and abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or
costumes.
To help keep children safe, CPSC enforces the Flammable Fabrics Act
and recalls products at Halloween and throughout the year that can cause
injury. Make this year's holiday a safe one by following these safety
tips on costumes, treats and decorations. CPSC has also issued a safety alert on Halloween safety tips.
Costumes
When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame
resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester or look for the label
"Flame Resistant." Flame resistant fabrics will resist burning and
should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with
candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy
materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible
to motorists.
For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim
costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's
headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with
reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware,
bicycle and sporting goods stores.
Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
Costumes should be well-fitted and not drag on the ground to guard
against trips and falls.
Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels
are not a good idea.
Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over
children's eyes and obstructing vision.
If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides
adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full
vision.
Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made ofsoft,
flexible material.
Treats
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them
carefully for evidence of tampering.
Carefully examine any toy or novelty items received by trick-or-
treaters under three years of age. Do not allow young children to have
any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have
small parts or components that could separate during use and present a
choking hazard.
Decorations
Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps
where costumes could brush against the flame.
Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-
or-treaters.
Indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains,
decorations and other combustibles that could be ignited.
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety
by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or
old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose
connections. Discard damaged sets.