Experts Offer Tips On Kids' Halloween Safety

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - WPBF.com

Halloween is often considered the scariest night of the year but health and safety officials warned parents that ghouls and ghosts are the last things their children should be afraid of.

With the H1N1 virus continuing to be a threat, experts said it's even more important for parents and children to heed safety guidelines this year.

"Kids can be safe trick or treating this season by following Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for trick or treating and that includes good hand washing, avoiding close contact with other kids who are sick or ill and having good parental supervision," said Dr. Andre Creese, of the Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.

Experts also said road safety is a major concern for children every Halloween. According to the Safe Kids U.S.A. organization, the chance of a child being killed while walking from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Halloween is twice as great as any other night of the year.

Experts also urged parents to be aware of their surroundings. They should do their research, find out where registered sex offenders live and avoid those areas, experts said.

Police said they are helping keep Halloween safe for children this year by telling sex offenders on probation that they are prohibited from giving out candy.

Parents can also bring their children to gatherings with responsible adult supervision and where children can have a safe time. That's what some trick-or-treaters did when they were treated to a haunted chili cookoff in Wellington courtesy of the Royal Palm Beach Elementary School PTA and Chick-Fil-A. Contestants received prizes for the best chili and students got a chance to participate in a costume contest.

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