WASHINGTON (AP) - The scariest end to a night of trick-or-treating is a trip to the emergency room, the government said this week.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued its annual Halloween tips for keeping children safe:

• Make sure costumes and bags are bright and easily visible to motorists. Add reflective tape that will glow in a car’s headlights. Have children carry flashlights.
  
• Get costumes, masks, beards and wigs made of flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label “Flame-Resistant.” Avoid costumes made with flimsy materials, big baggy sleeves or skirts that could fall upon open flames.
  
• Masks, hats and scarves should fit well and provide adequate ventilation without obstructing vision.
  
• Costumes should not drag on the ground and shoes should fit well - no oversized high heels. Accessories such as swords or knives should be made of soft, flexible material.
  
• Children should not eat any treats before an adult has examined them for evidence of tampering.
  
• Make sure toys received by young trick-or-treaters are not small enough - and do not have components small enough - to present a choking hazard.
  
• Keep candles and jack-o’-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and the path of trick-or-treaters.
  
• Make sure lights have been tested for safety; discard damaged sets and don’t overload extension cords.