Halloween is one week away and you are likely to see your neighborhood overrun by monsters, superheroes and princesses going door-to-door in search of an endless bounty of candy and treats.
It’s important for children and adults to take some precautions to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.
“The biggest key to keeping kids safe is close parental supervision,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., child health medical officer for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “Parents should think about safety as they plan their children’s Halloween costumes and activities. Children should wear bright and age-appropriate costumes made of flame-retardant materials to prevent injury.”
Here are other tips and precautions to help ensure children are safe and have a great time when trick or treating:
- Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible
- Children should be accompanied by an adult or older sibling
- Older children trick-or-treating without supervision should walk in groups and have a set time to return home
- Teach children to look both ways when crossing streets and to use crosswalks
- Carry a flashlight
- Children should not enter homes of people they do not know
- Throw away anything that looks tampered with or is unwrapped
- Do not eat homemade treats, unless you know the person who made them
“Parents should inspect all candy and goodies before their children eat them because most came from strangers,” added Sidelinger, who also encourages parents to not let children eat too much candy all at once.
And if you are the one giving the treats, Sidelinger said you should consider healthier alternatives or other small gifts such as coloring books, pens or pencils.
