Halloween is a kid’s favorite holiday!
Before your little ones head out for the night, read these important safety tips. Keep this spooky holiday from becoming a literal scary one:
Before – Pick the right size and make sure that their costumes fit properly. You want your child to have full range of motion without any tripping. Since masks can obstruct vision, create the same idea with face paint but be sure to test it out before to make sure your child doesn’t have a skin reaction. And of course, be sure to wash it all off before tucking them into bed. Obviously at nighttime, dark colors are harder to see. Aim towards brighter costumes or add reflective accessories. Opt for costumes with 100% synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, and acrylic and avoid loose capes and glittery fabric, which tends to be more flammable. This is precaution to original jack-o-lanterns that often have real candles inside. To cut the risk at your own home, light up your pumpkins with a battery-powered or LED “candle”
During – Travel in groups - little ones should always have an adult with them and older kids should travel together. Have them stick to a route you’re familiar and comfortable with and check in regularly by phone. Set a curfew for when to return home. Bring a flashlight for yourself, but also hand one off to your older child if he goes off alone with his friends. Don’t feel like you must hit every home on the block. Look for well-lit locations with pumpkins on display. Set a good example for your kids and only cross the street at established crosswalks.
After – Before you let your kids dive in, dump the entire candy bag out and inspect it all. Throw out any packages that look like they’ve been opened and any homemade or repackaged goods. If you have a child with serious allergies or food sensitivities, read any unfamiliar labels before allowing them the candy. Recently, the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), launched the Teal Pumpkin Project, making it a safer experience for children who suffer from food allergies. Look out for teal-colored pumpkins outside homes to signal that they have non-food treats for trick-or-treaters such as stickers, glow sticks, toys, etc. Last but not least, don’t skip brushing the teeth! Sticky candies are cavities waiting to happen.
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