Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 8, 2009 -- Windy City Novelties (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/) is helping to make Halloween safer this year by reminding customers about simple safety tips that will protect trick-or-treaters of all ages from easily avoidable, but common Halloween mishaps.
"We were doing research for a possible new line of products, and were shocked to discover that the number of Halloween-related accidents rises dramatically when Halloween falls on a weekend," explains Jeff Schrimmer, Vice President, New Market Development. "With Halloween being on a Saturday this year, we decided as a major online retailer of Halloween decorations (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/804c/halloween-decorations.html) and party supplies, we have a corporate duty to help our customers make their Halloween safer."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of Halloween motor vehicle fatalities rises 30 percent on average when Halloween is celebrated on a weekend as compared with other days of the week. The CDC statistics show that the number of deaths among pedestrians aged 5-14 is four time higher on Halloween, and that children are 4 ½ times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year.
Windy City Novelties also discovered: according to the National Retail Federation, roughly 52 million adults will dress up and celebrate Halloween this year. Prime trick-or-treating hours for all ages are between 4 and 9 pm according to NHTSA which is when most of the accidents occur and are caused by drivers not being able to see pedestrians due to darkness.
"Dark, scary costumes are always the most popular, but are hard to see," adds Schrimmer. "But by simply adding some iGlow hair gel (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/264c/iglow-novelties.html)or iGlow body gel for an eerie glow in bright neon colors, trick-or-treaters not only make themselves visible to drivers, they also end up with a great Halloween costume."
"It's easy to make children more visible too," explains Schrimmer. "Even if they don't want Halloween make-up put on as part of their Halloween costume. Just adding glow necklaces (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/256c/glow-necklaces.html), glow bracelets and glow sticks, which kids love, makes them easier for drivers to see. And, everyone needs to remember to cross the street at the cross walks at intersections and not in the middle of the block."
But vehicle and pedestrian accidents are not the only safety threats on Halloween. The National Fire Protection Association reports that an estimated average of 1,150 reported home structure fires per year are caused by Halloween decorations igniting. These fires result in an estimated average of three civilian deaths, 56 injuries and $24.8 million in direct property damage per year.
"Once again, these Halloween accidents are easy and affordable to avoid," concludes Schrimmer. "For example, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control recommends using battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside of jack-o-lanterns instead of open flames candles in its Halloween safety posters every year."
Having a happy and safe Halloween is easy, if you follow the Seven Steps of Halloween Fire Prevention:
1. Use LED candles (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/900c/halloween-light-ups.html) inside of pumpkins and throughout the party instead of candles with real flames.
2. Make sure that all of your Halloween decorations and Halloween costumes are made of flame retardant materials.
3. Carefully place any lit candles a safe distance from walls, drapery, Halloween decorations and fabrics.
4. Never leave a lit candle or fireplace unattended.
5. Use battery-operated lights inside of Halloween luminaries.
6. Check and double check all of your electrical Halloween decorations for frayed and old cords, bad connections, etc. and throw out any worn Halloween decorations.
7. Maintain a home-sized, personal fire extinguisher at all times, and make sure all the adults and older children in your home know its location and how to properly use it.
For more information about Windy City Novelties or for an interview contact: Kathryn Jordan at 847-682-1279, kjordan@windycitynovelties.com.
Founded in 1983, Windy City Novelties, Inc. is a leading US-supplier of party supplies (http://www.windycitynovelties.com/279c/party-supplies.html), glow products, and custom banners. The company's Web site, www.windycitynovelties.com, is the premier online source for party decorations and glow novelties and continues to expand into children's parties supplies, activities and crafts. Windy City Novelties is located in Vernon Hills, a northwest suburb of Chicago: Windy City Novelties, Inc., 300 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, Toll Free: 800-446-3200; 847-403-0100.
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