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No Trick To A Safe Halloween

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Making your child eat dinner before heading out could help them resist the temptation to dig into their candy.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2008

For kids, Halloween is all about the fun. For parents, it's all about the prep work. Here are some tips to help you and your favorite trick-or-treaters make it a healthy and safe holiday:

To Keep It Healthy:

Wait to buy your candy. We tend to eat what's in the pantry. This year, try waiting until Halloween day to buy your candy or hide it somewhere until it's time for trick-or-treating.

Plan your own activity. Halloween is about having fun, not hoarding stashes of candy. Going to a corn maze or haunted house, or hosting your own party, can take the focus off of sugary treats.

Make your child eat dinner before going out.

Limit the amount kids grab. It's hard not to take a handful of anything that's free, but limiting your children to only one item at each stop is a healthy start.

Offer healthy alternatives at your house. Don't worry about getting toilet-papered - not every house needs to offer chocolate bars or candied apples. Gum, hard candy, glow sticks/glow necklaces, and plastic rings are all popular, healthy alternatives to candy with high levels of saturated fat.

Ration the amount of candy kids (and adults!) eat afterward. The typical dietary recommendation for candy is a maximum intake of 22 pounds per year for a 12-year-old child, which can often be eaten in a single night during Halloween. The occasional treat can be good. Offer one after a healthy meal, exercising or finishing homework. Make sure to check your children's candy bags before they dig in.

To Keep It Safe:

Take care when carving. Use specifically designed carving knives, not kitchen knives; carving knives are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin tissue. (Injuries can occur when a carver tries to yank the stuck knife out.) Cut in small, controlled strokes, away from yourself. Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lit area; any moisture on tools, hands or table can cause the knife to slip. If you cut a finger or hand, elevate the hand above the heart and apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be necessary. If there is any numbness in the fingers or there is an inability to move the fingers, go to the emergency room.

Keep costumes light and bright. Children should be clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians. Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape. Make sure children wear flame-resistant costumes that fit properly. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall. Children should wear sturdy, comfortable and slip-resistant shoes. Masks and hats can impair a child's vision, so secure hats well and consider using face makeup instead of masks. If a child is carrying a prop, such as a knife, make sure it is flexible and soft to prevent injury.

Walk, don't run. Always carry a flashlight and stay on sidewalks when possible. Obey all traffic laws and signals, and only visit well-known neighborhoods. Cross streets as a group on established crosswalks. Only approach "Halloween friendly" houses. Stay away from animals you don't know. Parents should always accompany younger children. Older children should have a specific time to be home and know where to reach their parents. Give them cell phones to call home. Go over basic safety rules such as not getting into cars with strangers.

Make sure your house and yard are safe for trick-or-treaters. Put away anything a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, lawn decorations, etc. Put pets away so they don't bite children or get hit by a car. If you place candles inside your jack-o'-lantern, make sure it is away from where children will be walking or standing. Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

Sources: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mederma For Kids, Wellspring Weight Loss Programs

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