National Safety Council warns: Don't let an injury haunt your Halloween

Council releases new infographic on keeping kids safe

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Oct 27, 2014, 02:03 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 89^* percent of kids in America participate in Halloween activities each year. As children prepare to celebrate, the National Safety Council urges parents and the public to take extra precaution to prevent injuries, as streets become more crowded with pedestrians and vehicles.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

"Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children and parents alike," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. "Parents can really make a difference in keeping their kids safe by enforcing guidelines and giving them the confidence to make smart decisions."

To keep Halloween safe and injury-free, the National Safety Council encourages parents and caregivers to follow these tips:

All children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
Kids should never enter a stranger's home
Trick-or-treaters should obey traffic safety rules when crossing streets (looking left, right, left; using crosswalks)
Drivers should watch for children darting out from between parked cars, and be extra alert when exiting driveways
If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags to make sure they are visible
Parents should check all candy for safety before children eat it

Additionally, with choking a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14^**, parents need to pay close attention on Halloween when children consume small candies and rush door to door.

For more tips, check out the Council's new infographic on selecting safe costumes and preparing children for trick-or-treating.

Along with Halloween, the Council provides tips for staying safe all year long. For more seasonal safety tips, visit nsc.org.

^*According to Safe Kids Worldwide
^**According to 2014 Injury Facts

About the National Safety Council

Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council