By Lee Levesque
What an amazing time of the year to be a child, Halloween ushers in the holiday season, and of course, some wonderful treats. But along with the fun times comes increased potential for severe injury or worse. We ask everyone to take just a moment this October to consider a few simple measures aimed at helping our children create positive memories of candy and costumes not casts or, God forbid, coffins. Here are our recommendations for making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the night:
S: Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
A: Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups and always have an adult present.

[caption id="attachment_8327" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/News-Safety-firstLee-Levesque-and-Jane-Tarrance.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-8327" title="News-Safety firstLee Levesque and Jane Tarrance" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/News-Safety-firstLee-Levesque-and-Jane-Tarrance-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Pictured at left, Lee Levesque, the Public Information Officer of the Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire Department, presents Jane Tarrance a $50 check for winning The Island News’ Safety First contest. This week, you could win too. There are several advertisers inside the paper that are supporting an important safety message. Find all those that are participating by looking for the Safety First logo (it could be color or black and white), then list them in an email to williambuckboone@gmail.com. You will be entered into a drawing where the winner will receive a $50 prize.[/caption]

F: Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
E: Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
H: Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
A: Always keep the kids walking, running can cause trips and falls.
L: Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.
L: Lights on at a house stop in! Lights off, pass on by.
O: Only walk on sidewalks or the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
W: Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
E: Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
E: Entering homes to get candy is unsafe!
N: Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Follow these simple steps and you can count on a fun filled and SAFE HALLOWEEN. As always, if you have any questions about safety, feel free to contact your local fire department.