Children love the magic of Halloween – parties, dressing up in their favorite costumes, trick- or – treating, and getting candy. But no matter how exciting and fun this holiday can be, there are still some safety precautions that parents need to know in order for their children to be safe. First, their costumes need to fit properly. They should not be too long to prevent slips and falls. Masks should have large enough openings for the eyes and mouth so children can see and breathe. Costumes and wigs should be fire resistant. Makeup should be nontoxic. Do a patch test on a small area of the skin first to see if the child is allergic. A responsible adult should accompany young children around the neighborhood. Choose a light colored costume for your child that is easy to see at night. If out after dark, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or use glow sticks or a flashlight. Use crosswalks whenever possible, or sidewalks. Walk facing the traffic if on the road. Go only to well – lit homes. Never enter a stranger’s home or car. Eat only wrapped treats, and never accept candy from a stranger in a costume on the street. Some children are allergic to the nuts in candy, so be alert to that. Don’t sample the candy while you are trick-or-treating, rather, inspect it when you get home. Eat one or two treats a day. Don’t set all the candy out in a big bowl and gorge on it all day long. You are sure to get a tummy ache! A great idea is for parents to give out stickers, pencils, crayons, and coloring books as treats instead of candy. This is a better way to allow kids to have fun at Halloween without contributing to tooth decay.
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