Children's Hospital Los Angeles offers Halloween safety tips

Each year at Halloween, innocent children are placed in danger. Accidents occur, sometimes as a result of strangers, but often through the carelessness of parents.

Robert Adler, M.D., vice chairman of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wants your family to stay safe this Halloween. Read his handy tips below, share them with friends and keep them close to keep your kids safe. Thank you for staying safe this Halloween.

Safe Halloween Costumes

• Avoid theatrical and non-prescribed contact lenses. Several teens are turning to changing their eye color to resemble a favorite vampire or zombie. Without proper care, infection could incur.
• Because they can obstruct a child's vision, masks are not recommended. If a child wears makeup, parents should look for non-toxic, hypoallergenic kits.
• Costumes should be flame-retardant and fit properly. Avoid oversized shoes, high heels and long skirts or pants that could cause a child to fall.
• Children who will be trick-or-treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and carry flashlights.
• Parents should accompany their children while trick-or-treating, and also remind their children never to go into a stranger's house under any circumstances.

Pumpkin Carving Tips for Kids

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers and then parents can do the cutting. Under parents' supervision, children ages 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.
• Votive candles are safest for candlelit pumpkins.
• Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects and should never be left unattended.

Halloween Candy

• Children shouldn't snack while they're trick-or-treating. Parents should check treats at home.
• Parents should have their child eat a healthy meal before trick or treating.
• Encourage friends and family to pass out fruit snacks or crackers for a healthier alternative to candy.
• Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.
• Parents of young children should get rid of choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.