Keep Halloween Safe and Not-So-Scary

It’s that time again: The leaves are changing color and the evening shadows are long. The Fall season is upon us, and with that, the first real Fall holiday (for the kids at least) is Halloween. Ghosts, zombies, superheroes, princesses and all types of costumed characters will soon spill into the streets knocking on doors and searching for treats, as they’ve done for generations in America.

As parents, we want to make sure our little goblins are having fun and keeping it safe.

With that in mind, here are my yearly Halloween safety tips to help get the most from your ghoulish outing:

• Never send kids to trick-or-treat alone. Make sure a parent or trusted friend accompanies the revelers, especially the younger ones.
• Use reflective tape on all costumes for better visibility to motorists.
• Carry a bright flashlight to help see and be seen. Costumes can make walking tricky for younger masked marauders.
• Make sure masks fit tightly with adequate openings for maximum visibility.
• Examine every treat carefully. If there is even the slightest doubt of its condition, do not eat it.
• Don’t let kids enter anyone’s home unless accompanied by an adult.
• Swords, knives and other weaponry should be of soft material and as short as possible.
• If you are at home giving out treats, consider healthier alternatives to the typical sugar-infused candies and snacks, such as fruit-based treats, granola bars, and other healthy options.

Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting www.senate.mo.gov/brown.