Parents know

that kids want to be scary and spooky during Halloween, but don't forget

visibility.

Hypo-allergenic

makeup offers children a safer, more natural view than that offered by

masks, which may not fit well or have adequately sized eye openings. With

makeup in scary colors and a little help from a parent, a child can sport

a customized disguise without hampering vision. Just remember to keep

makeup particles and applicators out of children's eyes.

Costumes can

also be both frightful and visible if parents decorate them with iron-on

or sew-on retroreflective fabric or tape. Even self-stick decals are a

good idea.

Retroreflective

materials are visible to drivers even at speeds of 70 to 80 miles per

hour. By comparison, white material is visible only up to 50 mph. Be sure

the material is placed so that the child can be seen from the front, back

and sides.

Another suggestion

for a spooky disguise for older children and adults is the new colored

contacts called Wildeyes or Crazy Eyes. They come in a variety of shapes

and colors and are available with or without prescription.

Adults can

go even farther to make Halloween safer by making sure all holes in yards

are filled, steps repaired, and loose railings tightened. Porch or yard

lights should be turned on and property should be cleared of any lawn

equipment or objects that might trip a young trick-or-treater.

In addition

to making children visible and providing them with good visibility, parents

and all drivers should be extra vigilant when driving on neighborhood

roads. Reduce speeds, and make sure your windshields, headlights and mirrors

are clean. Drivers who have difficulty driving at night should avoid driving

on Halloween.

Also, have

an adult accompany children. Be sure children walk on sidewalks or yards,

not in the streets. Look both ways carefully at crossings and try to cross

at corners with street lights if possible. A battery-operated light or

lantern adds an extra measure of visibility.

Halloween is

a fun time for children, but it need not scare their parents. The key

is to see and be seen, and by following these suggestions both parents

and children can make Halloween the treat of a holiday it was meant to

be.