Dressing up and acting silly, getting a bucketful of candy, and welcoming fall’s cooler weather is what Halloween is all about! Kids are undoubtedly excited, but parents should keep safety in mind during all the festivities. Here are some tricks for keeping Halloween safe, brought to you from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and American Academy of Pediatrics.
At Home
• Invite trick-or-treaters to your door with bright light and plenty of room for them to move around.
• Keep your pets safely away from the door. Someplace where they’re not able to hear the doorbell or knocking is often best.
• Consider hosting a Halloween party at home if you’d like more control over where your kids are and what they eat.
• When making jack-o-lanterns, do the carving yourself, then allow your kids to do the decorating.
• Check to make sure candy is safe before allowing your kids to eat it. In addition, make sure treats are age appropriate and don’t pose a choking hazard for young children.
In Costume
• When choosing costumes, take a close look at masks, hats, wigs, shoes and other elements to ensure they will not interfere with the ability to move, see, hear, speak or breathe. Choose reflective clothing or accessorize costumes with reflective tape.
• Check accessories such as swords, sabers or such, to be sure they are not sharp, pointy or otherwise hazardous.
• Select non-toxic face makeup, and test it on a small patch of your child’s skin before applying a large amount.
• Choose a flame-resistant costume, and caution children about fire hazards, including candles used in jack-o-lanterns.
Out Trick-or-Treating
• Make sure kids trick-or-treat in groups, and are supervised by an adult at all times.
• Remind children to always remain outside the door, and to never go inside a stranger’s house.
• Caution kids to stick to well-lit paths. Cutting across lawns or through alleys can increase the risk for falls and accidents.
• Have children carry flashlights, so that drivers can see them easily and so that they can see the path in front of them.
Here at Central Florida Regional Hospital, we wish you and your family a happy and safe Halloween! For questions about protecting your kids this Halloween, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service. You can contact our nurses 24 hours a day by dialing 1-800-445-3392.
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