The Nebraska Regional Poison Center wishes you a happy and safe Halloween.
Listed below are Halloween tips for parents with youngsters.

• Wear brightly colored costumes that are made of flame-retardant materials. Use reflective tape on trick or treat bags.
• If your children use make-up rather than a mask, watch out for possible skin irritation, such as a rash or itching. If this occurs, remove the make-up immediately and thoroughly cleanse the area with soap and water.
• Carry a flashlight after dusk and watch for cars. Try to finish before dark.
• An adult should accompany young children and Halloween visits should be limited to familiar, local neighborhoods.
• Parents should check all treats before they are eaten.
• Eat only those treats in their original, unopened wrappers. Throw away candy if wrappers are faded, have holes, tears, or signs of rewrapping.
• Throw away all unwrapped candy.
• Thoroughly check fruits and homemade goodies for foreign objects that may have been inserted such as: pins, metal needles or razor blades. Fruits can be cut into several sections to check for tampering.
• Feed your children before they go trick or treating. You can also give your children a small amount of candy or other food item to eat while trick or treating so they won’t be tempted to eat from the bag before their treats can be checked.
• Some treats, especially chocolates, can be poisonous to pets.
• Dry ice can be used in punch bowls but should not be used in individual glasses. Frostbite can occur if skin comes into contact with dry ice.
• Candle-lit jack-o-lanterns should be kept off doorsteps to avoid contact with children’s costumes.
• Stay away from barking dogs or other upset animals.

If you suspect your child has been poisoned, call The Poison Center immediately, 1-800-222-1222 or in the Omaha area 955-5555 .

Happy Halloween!