Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to be extra vigilant for possible safety hazards so that your children have a fun and safe Halloween. Some tips to make Halloween safe include:

Costume safety

• choose a costume made of flame retardant material
• costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause your child to trip and fall
• for good visibility, add some reflective tape to the costume or bag he is using to carry candy or make/choose a costume made of bright material that is visible in the dark
• masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well and not hinder visibility
• if using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic
• knives, swords and other props should be made of a flexible material, so that they don't pose a hazard if fallen on

Trick-or-Treating safety

• Children should be well supervised by an adult when trick-or-treating.
• Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.
• carry a flashlight
• stick to well lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only
• follow traffic signals and rules of the road
• drive slowly
• avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys. Stick to the sidewalks of well lit streets

Candy safety

• Instruct your children to bring all candy home before eating it so that you can carefully inspect it for tampering.
• Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating, before parents have a chance to inspect the goodies.
• To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go -- don't send them out on an empty stomach.
• Tell children not to accept -- and, especially, not to eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
• Throw out candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or if they appear to have been tampered with (pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, etc.)
• Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
• Wash all fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect it for holes, including small punctures, and cut it open before allowing children to eat it.
  

General safety tips

• homeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well
• Provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.
• artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard
• If going to an adult Halloween party, make sure that you don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver if alcohol is being consumed.

These tips were provided by Keepkidshealthy.com a pediatrician’s guide to your children’s health and safety. A great resource for parents from newborn to adolescents. Please visit there site for more great parenting tips. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/index.html