Safety is the key for trick-or-treaters
Green St. resident Mike DePauli gives a handful of candy to scary clown Jodeci Taylor, 10, on Wednesday, Halloween night in downtown Gallup. © 2008 Gallup Independent / Matt Hinshaw

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — It is a night filled with joy for many children, as they dress in colorful costumes and go out to seek as much candy as they can carry.

Sherwood’s Chocolate Pirate’s Gold Coins (in gold wrappers) however, are made in China, and filled with melamine which is linked to deaths in China. This candy was sold across Canada by Costco and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores. According to www.snopes.com, Sherwood Brands says the chocolate coin candy was vended only in Canada and that none was sold or shipped into the U.S. market.

Residents are advised to return those coins to stores where they were purchased and parents and children are advised not to eat the candy, Grants Police Lt. Corey Allen said.

A Web site offers information on the situation: www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp.

Being safe while trick-or-treating is complicated for children, parents and any drivers who may be in neighborhoods where the youth are trick or treating.

Sometimes children wear masks, and Allen said masks are not a good idea.

“They obscure vision and make it difficult to breathe, face painting is a better idea,” he said. “The goal is to have fun, but do it safely.”

Every police officer with the Grants Police Department will be on duty Friday evening and night, to help patrol neighborhoods, streets and stop by the annual Halloween Fun Night at the Future Foundations Family center.

Allen said drivers particularly should be very careful on this night.

“Children might run out into the street without looking,” he said.

Grants Police Lt. Maxine Spidle and Allen, as well as the National Safety Council offer a list of Halloween safety tips for children, parents and drivers.

The theme is “have fun, be safe.”

Grants Police safety tips:

Wear light clothing or reflective markings or tape so you can be seen at night.

Make sure the costume does not drag on the ground.

Only go to houses that you know and that have lights on, indicating they will accept trick or treaters.

Stay on sidewalks.

Always walk with a parent or adult.

Obey all traffic laws.

Always listen, look both ways, before crossing streets and only cross streets at the corners.

Have parents or adults inspect your candy before you eat it.

If you are wearing a mask, take it off when walking from house to house.

Stay away from pets.

If carrying swords or sticks, make sure they are plastic and not sharp.

Carry a flashlight.

Instruct children on what to do in case of an emergency, for example, how to call 911.

Children should eat dinner before they go trick or treating.

Do not talk to strangers.

Walk in groups and never alone.

National Safety Council tips

Parents

Plan and discuss the route the trick or treaters will follow.

Never enter a stranger’s home or apartment.

Establish a return time.

Tell children not to eat any treats until they return home.

Pin a slip of paper on your child’s costume listing the child’s name, address and telephone number.

Do not allow children to carry sharp objects, knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or a flexible material.

Bags or sacks carried by children should be light colored and be trimmed with reflective tape.

Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Drivers

Watch for children darting out from parked cars.

Watch for children walking on roads, medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways slowly.

Watch for children in dark clothing in twilight and later.
Children

Do not enter homes or apartments without parental supervision.

Do not cross yards where unseen objects or uneven terrain can cause a fall.

Walk facing traffic if no sidewalks.

Costumes

Only use fire retardant materials for costumes.

Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.

Costumes should not be long so that they are a tripping hazard (Falls are the leading cause of unintended injuries on Halloween).

Face designs

If buying a Halloween mask, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled: “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application.

If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

On the net: www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp.
To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 285-4560
or e-mail:
jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.