The night of spectacular spooks, silly costumes and bags
full of candy is almost upon us! Halloween is right around the corner and it is
an exciting time of year for kids and adults. While the evening does bring lots
of fun with it, it also harbors some dangers as well. Make sure to keep reading
below to learn how you can help to keep everyone safe this Halloween!
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Now that Life Alert has your personal protection covered
against any monstrous mischief, here is how you can help others have a safe and
fun Halloween this year. Check out
AAP.org’s[1]
top tips to staying safe and enjoying this fun holiday with friends and family.
ALL DRESSED UP:
-Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure
that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping,
entanglement or contact with flame.
-Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and
trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
-Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider
non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit
properly so they don't slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time
on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises on the
big day.
-When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for
and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
-If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's
costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these
accessories if he stumbles or trips.
-Do not use decorative contact lenses. While the packaging
on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits
all," or "no need to see an eye specialist," using decorative
contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can
cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may
lead to permanent vision loss.
-Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local
emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.
CARVING A NICHE:
-Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can
draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
-Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a
candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is
safest.
-Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away
from curtains and other flammable objects, and not on a porch or any path where
visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.
HOME SAFE HOME:
-To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents
should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over
such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
-Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out
bulbs.
-Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and
steps.
-Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite
a trick-or-treater or run away.
ON THE
TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
-A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young
children on their neighborhood rounds.
-Have flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and
their escorts.
-If your older children are going alone, plan and review the
route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should
return home.
-Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a
home or car for a treat.
Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on
Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
-Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
-Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat
bags.
-Carry a cellphone for quick communication.
-Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
-If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the
roadway facing traffic.
-Never cut across yards or use alleys.
-Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks
(as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out of
driveways.
-Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble
seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
-Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately
of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
-A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will
discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
-Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit
your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
-Wait until children are home to sort and check treats.
Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats
and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
-Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following
Halloween.
HALLOWEEN AND FOOD
ALLERGIES:
-Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies.
It's important that parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid a
potentially life-threatening reaction:
-Always read the ingredient label on treats. Many popular
Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or
tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.
-If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat
"exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your
child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the
"Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.
-Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient
label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy
triggers, because factories often produce many different products. Also,
"fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be
made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands
your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.
-Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items
such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's
food.
Have so much fun and keep yourself and loved ones safe by
using the tips above. After the festivities are over and you’re home alone,
continue to stay safe from any lurking scares by getting Life Alert Protection.
While wearing their emergency pendant around your neck or wrist, you can summon
an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. No matter
if you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, LifeAlert’s dispatch team is available 24/7 to send you the proper authorities
fast. Leave the scares to Halloween and stay safe all year long with the help
of Life Alert. Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.
Works Cited:
1.
“Halloween Safety Tips from the American Academy
of Pediatrics.” American Academy of
Pediatrics. <https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx>.
