Have a Spooky and Safe Halloween:
Halloween Safety Tips
by Alexa Bigwarfe
Halloween can be a really fun and enjoyable evening, however the harsh reality is this: on Halloween, children are two- four times more likely to be hit and killed by a car than any other day. That’s a scary fact. There is potential for injury through Halloween activities.
Follow these tips to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
– Children under twelve should not be out alone. They should be supervised by an adult, and if at all possible, traveling in a group. Older children should plan a route with their parents and have an established return time.
– Walk on sidewalks or other paths and make sure to check before crossing any streets.
– Only visit homes with the porch light on.
– Ensure your children are carrying glow sticks or flashlights so that drivers can see them better.
A note to drivers: most children trick or treat between 5:30 and 9:30, so slow down and be vigilant if driving during those hours.
Costume Safety
– Select a costume that fits well. If their costume is too big, there’s a good chance they will trip and fall.
– Pick out flame resistant costumes and do not walk too closely to lit candles.
– Use reflective tape on their costumes and bags.
– Avoid masks that can obscure their vision.
– Test out make up first to make sure your child does not have a sensitivity.
– Don’t use over the counter decorative contact lenses.
Pumpkin Carving Safety:
– Allow the kids to draw on the pumpkins, but never cut them. Young children should not handle knives.
– Make sure pumpkins with candles are placed far from anything that they may catch on fire.
– Keep matches or lighters stored safely out of reach.
– Candles in a votive is the safest route, but consider glow sticks rather than a lit flame.
Stranger Danger – Remind your children:
– Never accept rides from strangers.
– Do not enter a stranger’s house.
– Stay in familiar areas.
– Do not accept treats or candy that are not factory wrapped.
Food Safety
– If you’re having a party or going to a party, don’t forget common food safety.
– Don’t leave food out that needs to be refrigerated.
– Feed your child a meal prior to parties to help them avoid over eating candy and other foods that may lead to stomach pains.
– Have an adult sort through all of the candy once the children are home and throw out any candies that are unwrapped.
– If hosting parties, provide some fun, yet healthy treats.
– Finally, ration that candy over the next thirty days.
Other great resources for Safety tips:
http://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/healthy-halloween
http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2011/10/18/healthy-halloween-snacks/
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Halloween.shtml
http://www.safekids.org/halloween#sthash.hH1GRr5D.dpuf
http://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
http://www.cdc.gov/family/Halloween
Four Fun and Healthy Halloween Snacks:
Halloween “Ghosts”
– strawberries dipped in white chocolate with ghost faces.
Deviled “Spider” eggs
– deviled eggs with plastic spider legs and eyes.
“Mummy” dog
– hot dog wrapped in Pillsbury dough (like a mummy) and cooked.
Veggie “Skeleton” plate
– place veggies on a big plate in a skeleton shape.
Have a fantastic, spooky, and safe Halloween!
Alexa Bigwarfe is the mother of three little ghouls. They very much enjoy darting
into the street and eating too much candy on Halloween.
