This year, Halloween occurs on Friday ... October 31, 2014. (To help families within the communities of Will County, I posted, "2014 Halloween Trick-or-Treat Hours in Will County, IL Communities") 
To ensure your child's 2014 Halloween is a safe, fun one, please make sure that your child's costumes and their actions while trick-or-treating follow common-sense precautions like the ones below:
For Costume Safety:
- Make sure all costumes and accessories are fire resistant
- Make sure Halloween make-up is non-toxic to prevent skin and eye irritations. Test a small area ahead of time to be safe
- Make sure masks do not block eyesight. Make eye holes extra large
- Make sure costumes are well-fitted and will not cause tripping or falling
- Make sure all accessories such as swords, wands, knives, etc. are made from flexible materials that will not puncture
- Do not allow your child to wear decorative/costume contact lenses (risk of eye injuries)
- Do not allow your child to wear Halloween make-up to bed. Remove all make-up carefully. Follow manufacturer's directions for removal
- Fasten reflective tape or fluorescent/luminescent materials to your child's costume and treat bag
- Carry a flashlight
For Home Safety:
- Keep sidewalks, steps, and doorways free of lawn decorations, wet leaves, bikes, snow, etc.
- Keep family pets in a safe environment, away from Trick-or-Treaters and treats
- Keep the outside of your home and walkways well-lit. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs
For a Safe Trick-or-Treat Trail:
- Travel and Trick-or-Treat only on well-lit streets
- Use only the sidewalks for a pathway
- Don't allow children to cut across lawns, dart across streets, or use alley-ways
- Walk, do not run between homes
- Have children stay with an adult or travel in groups
- Only visit well-lit homes with a porch light on
- Children should never enter a home or car for treats
- Review the routes older children will be taking
- Motorists may experience problems seeing Trick-or-Treaters at night. Always have children look both ways prior to crossing a street .. and never assume that walkers have the right-of-way
- If sidewalks are not available, walk on a far edge of the road facing traffic
- Carry a Flashlight (fresh batteries) and a Cellphone
- Examine all your child's candy prior to letting them eat it
- If in doubt about some candy, throw it out
- Adhere to your municipality's set Trick-or-Treat Hours
- Know where registered sex offenders reside. Check the U.S. Dept. of Justice's Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website so as not to place your child in risky situations during their Trick-or-Treating
- Dial 911 in case of Emergencies
Follow these Safety Tips and Suggestions above to make your child's Halloween Trick-or-Treat adventure a fun-filled, safe one ...
Happy Halloween!
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