HALLOWEEN HAZARDS: COMMON SENSE ENSURES SAFETY

Before parents send their kids out trick or treating this Halloween, they should follow a few "common sense" rules to ensure their safety.

"A lot of things to do with safety are just common sense," said Patrolman Kevin Orr of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Orr said the police department has had to deal with few problems during past Halloweens. But, he said, there are a few things kids and parents can do to make the odds of having a safe Halloween greater.

Make sure trick-or-treaters stay in familiar neighborhoods. "Kids should visit the homes they know," Orr said. "And parents should always accompany the younger children."

Costumes should be carefully selected, Orr said. They should be flame-resistant, light colored, non-restrictive and kids should be able to breath well in them.

"Long, flowing costumes can be dangerous," Orr said. "It's easy for kids to trip in them."

Comfortable shoes that are easy to get around in are important too, he said.

All trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights, stay on sidewalks and always watch out for traffic. They should also stay away from alleys, Orr said. "If someone was going to grab a child, that's a place they could be hidden," he said.

Orr said once the kids are home, parents should inspect candy and any other goodies they have collected.

"Most people won't keep something that looks homemade or isn't wrapped well," he said. "Occasionally someone will find something questionable, but we haven't found that to be much of a problem in recent years," he said.

Handing out coupons and gift certificates, purchased from stores and restaurants, is becoming more popular, Orr said.

"And a lot of churches have Halloween parties as an alternative to trick or treating," he said.

A Halloween party for kids, held annually at West Park Mall, is expected to draw about 2,500 youngsters this year, said Maggie Friend, marketing director of the mall.

At the mall's Safe Halloween Party, kids "trick or treat" from store to store, participate in a costume parade and win "pumpkin trophies" for anything from the "Most Spook-tacular" costume to "Most Boo-tiful."

"It's designed as an alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating," Friend said. "It's mainly for young children who maybe are afraid of the dark or whose parents are concerned for their safety."

Goblins of all ages are welcome to the event, Friend said. Registration for the costume parade and contest begins Thursday at 6 p.m. at the mall's center court.