For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, trunk or treating, to a fall festival, and eat yummy treats.
These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.
Going Trick-or-Treating or Trunk-or-Treating?
Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for your love ones:
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. Carry a cell phone for quick communicating.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you better.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering (preferably by a responsible adult) before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Only go to homes with porch lights on. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing “pretend” decorative contact lenses or masks.
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. Purchase flame-resistant costumes too.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Better still, remind adults to use flash lights, glo-sticks or small battery operated lights in place of the candles.
Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?
Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains.
Better still, glo sticks, small battery operated lights or flash lights in place of candles. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave the items unattended or use the battery operated slight
Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely. By following these tips you can help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone! Source: CDC Office of Women's Health
HEALTHY OCTOBER CELEBRATION TIPS:
A good, healthy dinner prior to parties and trick-or-treating or trunk or treating will discourage children from filling up on Haloween treats.
Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books, stickers, 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 to prevent overindulging, which will lead to a stomachache and ruin the night’s fun.
Make sure the Halloween and Harvest Festival night are fun and safe with the suggested tips above. These tips will help guarantee you all a ghoulishly good time.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
