It’s that time of the year again! Halloween is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get in the spirit by putting up spooky decorations, carving pumpkins, and finding the perfect costume. However, as fun as Halloween can be, it’s also important to keep safety in mind – especially if you have kids. Trick or treating can be an exciting tradition, but it can also pose some risks. In this blog post, we’re going to share some essential safety tips that every family should keep in mind during Halloween. Patient Advocate Match is a healthcare professional services directory, and our goal is to provide healthcare services to meet the needs of your family and loved ones and assist you in meeting your health and wellness goals.
As a mom of 7 gown kids (who still like Halloween) and a grandma of 17, I get that Halloween is one of the most awaited holidays of the year, with kids and even adults excited about the spooky scenes, creative costumes, and candy-gathering adventures. However, with all the fun come several safety concerns, especially for parents with young children. Between worrying about traffic safety, choosing the right costumes, and ensuring your kids don’t overdose on sugar, it’s crucial to prepare for a safe Halloween experience.
So, let’s dive in!
Tip 1 – Safety tips for trick-or-treating
Be mindful of the treats your kids receive: While most people have good intentions, it’s important to inspect your child’s candy before they eat it. Look for anything that appears tampered with or suspicious, and don’t forget to check for any allergens that may affect your child’s health. Alternatively, consider hosting a Halloween party at home where you can monitor the food your children are eating. Also, encourage your kids to walk instead of running, avoid cutting across yards, and use sidewalks and crosswalks. Again, check their candies and treats for signs of tampering before they consume them.
Trick-or-treating is a classic Halloween tradition, but it’s important to take precautions to make sure that your children stay safe while they’re out and about. Some useful tips include:
– Always accompany young children and have a plan on where to meet up if they become separated.
– Carry a flashlight or glow sticks to help increase visibility. Kids love to wear glow stick bracelets and necklaces.
– Stick to well-lit areas and walk facing the traffic.
– Stay on sidewalks and cross streets only at designated crosswalks.
– Inspect candy before eating to ensure it has not been tampered with.
– Encourage children to only visit homes of people they know and trust.
Tip 2 – Alternative activities for Halloween
If you’re uneasy about traditional trick-or-treating activities, consider fun and safe alternatives such as school Halloween parties, neighborhood trunk-or-treat events at local churches, business centers, hospitals, community centers, and virtual Halloween costume contests. With Trunk and Treats, you get to park your car in a secure location, and your kids can trick or treat from one car trunk to the next, gathering Halloween treats in a fun and safe environment.
For some parents, trick or treating can seem risky, particularly in areas where you don’t know your neighbors well. You can also host a Halloween-themed party in the safety of your own home with your family and close friends. This suggestion lets you get your Halloween fix as well!
Tip 3 – Popular costumes for kids this year
The most popular Halloween costumes for kids this year include characters from popular animated movies and TV shows like Elsa from Frozen II, Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian, and Harley Quinn from DC Comics. Minecraft and video game characters are also trending among school-aged children. Harry Potter characters are also very popular. Whatever costume your child decides to wear, make sure that it does not obstruct their vision or become a tripping hazard.
Have your child wear reflective clothing: Halloween is an exciting time of year, but it can also be dangerous as it gets dark earlier. Encourage your child to wear reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their costume to make them more visible to drivers. Remind them to stay on the sidewalks and only cross streets when permitted. Again, glow sticks here are also a great option.
Creative costume options: Make Halloween feel extra special by creating your custom costumes or using household items to make costumes. This way, your kids can still dress up without spending a fortune on a new costume each year. Encourage your kids to add their own personal touch to their costume and make it an opportunity for some quality time together as a family.
Tip 4 – Use Halloween as an opportunity to teach good handwashing habits.
Perhaps the most important tip for your little ones this Halloween is to practice diligent handwashing and sanitation. Ensure you carry hand sanitizers with you, encourage your kids to avoid sharing treats with others, and wash hands before touching their faces or eating any Halloween treats. Encourage proper hand hygiene before and after trick-or-treating or attending a party by washing for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Halloween activities might cause children to have dirty hands or come in contact with many hands which increases the risk of germs spreading. Make a point to remind your kids about proper hand hygiene after they’ve been touching objects outside of your home, such as doorbells, railings, or candy wrappers. Discourage your kids from touching their face or putting their hands in their mouths during activities.
Tip 5 – Make Halloween extra special.
Finally, Halloween only comes around once a year – so make it memorable for your family! Consider carving pumpkins, watching spooky movies, (A family favorite of ours is Hocus Pocus) or decorating your home for a ghoulish ambiance. You could even host a family costume party or game night. Encourage pumpkin carving, spooky crafts, and baking fun Halloween treats together. You can also get creative with Halloween-themed movies, books, and board games to enjoy with the family while staying cozy and safe indoors.
One of my favorite activities as a kid for Halloween parties was a game we played blindfolded. Someone would read a spooky story and tell us we were touching eyeballs, brains, worms, etc in a bowl and not knowing then they were grapes, rice and spaghetti! Of course, we knew once we took off our blindfolds but it sure was fun!
I love to see all the homes decorated for Halloween. Some homes are just as decked out as Christmas but even more sometimes. I think Halloween can be so much fun for the kids, and I have been known to attend some adult Halloween parties over the years! I still love Halloween.
Conclusion:
Halloween can be a fun and exciting holiday for the whole family, but it’s essential to put safety first. Whether it’s inspecting your child’s candy, encouraging reflective clothing, attending community events, or promoting proper hand hygiene, there are several ways you can help keep your kids safe and happy this Halloween. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy the spooky season without any frightful incidents. Remember to prioritize safety and have a hauntingly good time, whether indoors or out there in the spooky streets! Happy Halloween!
Take care and we will see you back here soon for more tips and strategies from Patient Advocate Match.
“Matching the Right Healthcare Resources for the Right Reasons.”
Pam
Resources:
Patient Advocate Match Directory
Patient Advocate Match: Meet Your Professionals
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/halloweenhealth/index.html
