Tips for a Safe & Happy Halloween
Halloween is right up there with Christmas among children’s favorite holidays, and many kids look forward to the joy of dressing up and trick-or-treating every year. Around this time of year, some parents voice concerns about Halloween safety, as this holiday presents some unique situations for children. I’m happy to say that things like candy tampering are extremely rare, but I still advise inspecting children’s candy to be on the safe side. When it comes to trick-or-treating safety, I recommend following the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as I’ve summarized and commented on in today’s Briarcliff Pediatrics blog:
Food Safety:
- Closely monitor and limit the amount of sugary and otherwise unhealthful Halloween candy your children eat.
- If your children have allergies, be hyper-vigilant about checking the labels of the contents of their trick-or-treat bags. Many well-meaning neighbors handing out candy won’t consider that some kids might have food allergies.
- Teach your children to (politely) decline any home-baked goods.
- Make sure the seals aren’t broken on any of your child’s candy.
Costume Safety:
- Plan a costume that’s bright and reflective. You can get creative with safety by adding bright or reflective materials to your child’s costume and/or trick-or-treat bag, many of which are readily available at department stores and/or online retailers:
- Accessories meant for cycling or roadwork
- Halloween-themed reflectors specifically meant for children’s costumes
- Masks can limit peripheral vision, so consider non-toxic face paint as an alternative. A day or two before Halloween, test any face paint you plan to use on a small patch of your child’s skin to make sure he or she won’t have any negative reactions (which could be more severe and consequential if a large amount of paint is on the face all evening).
- Keep your child’s ability to move freely and safely in mind when choosing a costume. Ensure that it isn’t long enough to be a tripping or fire hazard and that the shoes fit well.
- Make sure that any costumes or accessories you buy are clearly labeled as flame resistant.
- Stay away from decorative contact lenses (children and adults alike).
- Avoid sharp or otherwise potentially hazardous costume accessories—a play magic wand or sword could scratch the skin or do eye damage, even if it’s somewhat dull.
General Road/Sidewalk Safety:
- Make sure your children and any trusted adults with them have flashlights with fresh batteries.
- Review out-and-about safety protocols with your children, such as remembering their address, phone number, and perhaps most essentially, how to call 9-1-1.
- Whether you’re accompanying younger children or allowing older ones to trick-or-treat alone, plan out their route ahead of time, staying on well-lit streets with sidewalks. Observe the same safe practices you always do in areas with automobiles.
On behalf of everyone here at Briarcliff Pediatrics, we’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween. Dr. Ray Deeb and Dr. Ashley Brown provide comprehensive healthcare for newborns and children up to the age of 18, and they’re currently accepting new patients. If you would like to learn more about our practice, contact Briarcliff Pediatrics to schedule an appointment or a complimentary meet-and-greet. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest health tips and news in children’s healthcare, and check back often for new blogs.
