Attorney General Six and the Kansas State Child Death Review Board
October 26, 2009 -- Halloween is just around the corner and most children have their costumes ready to go for a fun-filled night of trick-or-treating. Attorney General Six and the Kansas State Child Death Review Board (SCDRB) encourage parents and caregivers to keep their little pirates, princesses, ghosts, and ghouls safe by following some basic safety guidelines.
- Wear a light-colored or reflective costume that can be seen in the dark or carry a glow stick or flashlight (and extra batteries);
- Use face makeup rather than masks to avoid obstructing your view;
- Wear well fitted shoes and costumes to avoid tripping dangers;
- Travel in groups. Small children should always be accompanied by trusted adults;
- Remain in familiar neighborhoods and only go to houses that are well lit, inside and out;
- Older children should map their route and share it with their parents/caregivers. Set a time to be home.
- Carry a cell phone with home and emergency numbers programmed for easy access. Parents/caregivers should be sure to have child’s cell phone number;
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible and close to the curb facing traffic when there are no sidewalks. NEVER dart out into the street;
- Do not approach or get into cars of strangers;
- Wait to eat your candy until your parents/caregiver have thoroughly examined it. Throw all unwrapped candy in the trash.
Keep the horror out of Halloween by exercising good judgment and safety.
The SCDRB is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency board that examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths of all Kansas children (birth through 17 years of age) and children who are not Kansas residents, but who die in the state. The goals of the SCDRB are to describe the trends and patterns of child deaths in Kansas, to develop prevention strategies, and to improve sources of data and communication among agencies. The Board works toward lowering child deaths in Kansas through research, education, and legislation.
For additional information, visit the SCDRB website at http://www.ksag.org/Divisions/SCDRB or contact Ashley Anstaett, Director of Communications, at (785) 296-3459.