James Mason, HHS assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service, said the holiday can be especially hazardous for young pedestrians.
Children can have their vision obscured by costumes, too.
Mason also says incidents in which children have become ill or injured after eating food that has been tampered with make it important that parents examine all treats. White, reflective or florescent material can be used in their costumes. Makeup, for example, can be used instead of a sight-blocking mask. Local law enforcement authorities should be contacted if tampering is suspected.