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CBSNewYork's Halloween Safety Guide For Children & Parents

Keep trick-or-treaters both scary and safe this Halloween with Consumer Reports' tips for costuming, pumpkin carving, and protecting those little goblins who can't wait to haunt the neighborhood in search of goodies and other ghouls. For CBSNewYork.com's guide to keeping your pets just as happy and healthy this holiday, click here.

Halloween Night

Kids On Halloween
(credit: File photo/Thinkstock)

1. Make sure a responsible adult accompanies children under 12. Direct older children to always stay in a group.2. Pin a piece of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the trick-or-treater gets lost or separated from the group.

3. Make sure costumes are not so long that children will trip over them. Costume accessories, including swords, canes or sticks should not be sharp or too long. Better still, leave these objects at home; they can easily cause eye injuries, which are common on Halloween.

4. Costume flammability is another safety concern. Opt for costume material that won't easily go up in flames. For example, paper towels, toilet paper or gauze shouldn't be part of a mummy costume.

5. Use facial makeup instead of masks to keep vision unobstructed.

6. Decorate or trim the costume and accessories, including trick-or-treat bags and sacks, with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.

7. Make a flashlight part of the costume to help trick-or-treaters see and aid them in being seen.

Decorations & Jack-O-Lanterns

Family Celebrates Halloween By Carving APumpkin
(credit: File photo/Thinkstock)

1. Place jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.2. Clear porches and yards of garden hoses, lawn decorations or anything a child could trip over.

3. Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.

4. Check outdoor lights and replace any burned-out bulbs.

How to Safely Carve a Pumpkin:

The beloved ritual of pumpkin carving can turn as nasty as the trolls lurking in the corners if families are not careful. People can easily injure their hands when cutting through pumpkins. These gashes can be especially serious since nerves and tendons lie just under the skin. But having the right know-how and the right tools can help prevent serious injury. CR makes pumpkin carving safer and easier for parents and kids with the following information and advice:

Our Tips:-- Keep all pumpkin carving tools away from kids.

-- Kids can participate safely by drawing a face on the pumpkin and cleaning out the innards.

-- Work in a well-lit area and wash and thoroughly dry everything in use any moisture can cause slipping that can lead to injuries.

-- Cut away from the body using small stokes.

-- Pumpkin painting is a safe alternative for those who would rather not carve at all.

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