Help your kids have a spooky but safe Halloween

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Greta Anne Rowe is like a little kid when it comes to Halloween. During a recent outing at a Target store near her suburban Atlanta, Georgia, home, the 37-year-old seemed to spare no expense as she filled her shopping cart with plastic pumpkins, flickering ghost-shaped flashlights and a CD with spooky music.

Rowe is hoping her enthusiasm will one day rub off on her children, ages 2 and 4. She's also passing along some lessons on safety. "Anything you can do to add an extra bit of caution and preparedness is important," Rowe says.

Experts advise parents to start their safety checklist with a costume that fits well. "Kids like to run on Halloween," says pediatrician Jennifer Shu of Atlanta. "If a costume is too long, kids will be tripping or falling when going up steps." In fact, the National Safety Council reports that falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.

Shu, the mother of a 6-year-old, is also concerned that children wear costumes that are light enough to be seen by oncoming traffic or are made with reflective material.

While they're at it, Shu wants parents to check the label of store-bought costumes to make sure they are flame resistant. Such costumes can still catch fire, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says, but they will resist burning longer. Watch tips to help your kids have a safe Halloween »

Some kids like to wear masks on Halloween night, but Shu worries that some designs can lead to trouble. "Make sure the eye holes are large enough so the child can see," says Shu. "Make sure there is enough breathing room in the nose and mouth."

Face paint or makeup may be a better option, but double-check that special Halloween products are marked nontoxic and hypoallergenic.

Costumes aren't always complete without accessories. Don't allow children to carry sharp objects, Shu says. Swords and knives should be made of soft and flexible material.

She recommends going over some rules before your child starts making the rounds in the neighborhood. "Have your child go out with a parent or other adult," she suggests. "Plan the route ahead of time, and teach your child never to go into a stranger's home."

Kids older than 12 may want to carry a cell phone. Tell them to walk on sidewalks -- not in the road -- and establish a return time.

Feeding your children an early dinner before a trick-or-treat outing may help them resist the urge to fill up on the entire bag of candy. Shu adds, "It is actually safest to wait until you get home to inspect the candy." Look for anything that could be a choking hazard for young kids and may already be opened.

The best rule of thumb according to Shu: "When in doubt, throw it out."

That's advice Rowe plans to follow. She's still busy pulling together her kids' costumes for the big night. She's also not quite finished stocking up on flashlights and glow sticks that will help make this Halloween both fun and safe. E-mail to a friend

Judy Fortin is a correspondent with CNN Medical News.