CPSC Urges Safety for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters
Press Release # 04-016
Transcript
CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton speaks "The most important guideline that we would provide the parents is to make sure that you have costumes of flame resistant fabric. And that fabric typically consists of nylon or polyester. You can buy them that way, or if you're going to make them, make sure that you make them out of something like nylon or polyester flame resistant. We feel that children should wear masks that have good visibility and are easy to breathe through. For instance, if you got a mask like this (Chairman holds up mask that would cover a child's entire head) or you can't see through the eyeholes, that's dangerous. If you do go out and get a mask, get one like this one where you have good visibility and you can see (Chairman holds up a costume fireman's hat). If however, you don't want to deal with the mask issue, you can always use makeup or you can use face paint to make your own virtual mask and then you don't have to deal with the mask issue. But we're not telling people not to wear masks, we're just telling them to make sure you get a safe one that has good visibility. Reflective tape is a good idea. When trick-or-treaters use reflective tape to put on their costume to make sure they can be seen as well as possible in the neighborhoods".
TEXT: Lab Tests. Halloween-related injuries can involve burns from flammable costumes ignited by open flames from items such as candles and jack-o-lanterns.
B-roll - Homemade 100% cotton costume
(Views of costume burning)
TEXT: Lab Tests - Flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
B-Roll - "Flame Resistant" Polyester Costume
(Views of costume being ignited with fire but the flame on the fabric quickly dies out)
TEXT: Make this Halloween a safe one by following these "safety tips."
Safety Tips:
Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of car headlights. Children also should carry flashlights for greater visibility.
(Views of mother and child putting reflective tape on child's costume and bag)
(Views of a group of trick-or-treaters walking down the street at night with reflective tape on their costumes and bags.)
TEXT: Safety Tips:
If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and provides adequate ventilation and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision.
(Views of mother shopping for Halloween masks in store.)
(Views of father making sure his child's mask fits properly)
TEXT: Safety Tips:
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 shirts. Costumes should be well-fitted and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.
(Views of children in ghost costumes walking near a flame from a jack-o-lantern)
(Views of a woman lighting a jack-o-lantern)
TEXT: Safety Tips:
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
(Views of adults checking children's candy)
End.