HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Most kids see Halloween as a time to dress up, eat candy and have a good time. Parents should inform their children that that is only the first part of the occasion...there are also some safety tips they should follow. "The thing that were most concerned about is traffic exposure. They need to carry a flashlight, make sure their costume has visibility, dont get out in the street and look before they do go out in street," says Captain Jim Smith. Parents of trick or treaters also have an important role. They are advised to go with their children and only go to familiar houses,along with inspecting their candy. "Parents should check every piece of candy before a child puts it in their mouth. Check for any tampering, holes on the outside,things like that," says Bill Bolak, Director of Radiology at Flowers Hospital. In case you are still concerned, Flowers Hospital offers to X-ray Halloween candy for free. "Hospitals offer a service to the public to x-ray candy for foreign materials such as metal, however, it does not pick up any chemicals. It will pick up glass if the pieces are big enough," says Bolak. Candy X-raying numbers are decreasing over the years, but its still a good idea. "Halloween is normally a safe event, if you take the time and pay attention to what you`re doing... just pay attention and they are reasonably safe," says Smith. JANA JACOBS-REPORTER WDHN 18