Senator Stavisky Reminds New Yorkers to put Safety First this Halloween

Flushing, NY—Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D- Flushing) is urging children and parents to use caution this Halloween so that the day remains safe and enjoyable for all.

“Halloween is a fun time for families and neighborhoods to get together, dress up in costumes and enjoy delicious candies,” Senator Stavisky said. “To keep it enjoyable, I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant and remember to use caution when crossing streets in the dark and to avoid unwrapped sweets.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has provided tips to help guarantee a safe holiday this Halloween. These tips include:

·         Planning costumes that are bright and reflective;

·         Making sure that shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame;

·         Adding reflective tape, striping, or glow sticks to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility;

·         Obtaining flashlights with fresh and spare batteries for all children and their escorts; and

·         Teaching children to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.

Senator Stavisky concluded, “By following these simple guidelines, we can make sure that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.”

For more information on how to make this Halloween a safe and fun one, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/.