Halloween is a time of candy, joy, excitement, and most importantly tricks and treats! However, it is also important to plan the day well to keep your children safe and healthy. As a family doctor, there are three areas parents should focus on to keep their children safe this Halloween - your child’s costume, their trick-or-treating route and the treats they receive.
Safe and spooky costumes
It is important to pick the right costume for your child to keep them safe. Here are some things to consider when choosing a costume.
- It doesn’t block your child’s vision.
- It is made of flame-resistant materials.
- It is made of bright and reflective materials. If that is not possible, add reflective tape or striping to your child’s costume and trick-or-treat bags.
- It is age appropriate. If you have several children, costumes should be age appropriate based on your youngest child’s age, especially if you are going as a group.
- It is comfortable and easy for your child to get out of on their own.
- Don’t use decorative contacts without your child having an eye exam and prescription.
- Click here for more tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Know your trick-or-treat trail
Planning your route ahead of time can help prevent accidents and make Halloween night less stressful for both you and your children. Consider the following when planning your route.
- Stay in neighborhoods you know.
- Have a working flashlight for everyone and try to get out and back before dark.
- Minimize distractions during the walk. This includes talking, texting or listening to music on a cell phone.
- Make sure your young children have an adult chaperone, ideally you, a caretaker, or a family member, to walk with them.
- If your older children are going out alone, plan and review a route with them. Tell them when you expect them home and make sure they have their cell phone charged and on them.
- Stay on well-lit streets and only go to homes with a porch light on.
- For more information on planning safe trick-or-treating routes, go to Safe Kids Worldwide.
Candy check
Halloween wouldn’t be the same if your child didn’t get a trick-or-treat bag full of candy. However, it is essential to check all the treats your child receives before they are eaten. Here are some ways to let your children enjoy their candy haul and avoid harm.
- Give your children a meal or snack before they go trick-or-treating to help keep them from eating the candy before you can check it. You might also consider taking some of your own candy to give them during the walk if they want a piece.
- Inspect the candy ASAP. Look to make sure the candy has:
* The manufacturer’s wrapper.
* A sealed wrapper.
* Not expired.
* No needle marks.
* No ingredients to which your child is allergic, such as peanuts.
- Toss all homemade goods.
- Avoid the dreaded stomachache:
* Ration the candy out over several days to limit the amount of candy your child eats at one time.
* Consider swapping candy for toys or other items your child likes to reduce how much candy they have to eat.
It is also important to remember that candy and Halloween toys, including stickers, can be choking hazards for small children. You can find more helpful tips at the Food and Drug Administration on ways to check Halloween candy.
By following the tips above, it can also be a healthy and safe holiday for you and your child. Happy Halloween!
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