Little ones and their families will soon be heading out to make fun memories on Halloween.
To avoid any scary situations, SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Janesville East Family Medicine Provider Benjamin Banks says that families should keep a few basic tips in mind.
“The first steps for creating a safe, wonderful Halloween begin well before the big night even arrives,” Dr. Banks said.
When selecting costumes, parents should make sure that outfits fit children well.
“The costume should be the appropriate length to avoid falls, and masks should allow for good vision,” he said.
Kids should also be supervised when carving pumpkins and be given assistance as appropriate.
The night of Halloween, families should emphasize:
- Having an adult supervise all children who are trick or treating
- Going only to the homes of the people they know
- Using glow sticks or flashlights when out after dark
- Walking on sidewalks and steps to avoid nasty falls and serious injury
- Eating only items that are fully wrapped
- Taking extra care to examine ingredients if any food allergies are known
- Making sure candy is appropriate for the child’s age, and not a choking hazard
Perhaps most importantly, everyone should take extra care to watch out for traffic.
On average, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Teach kids that even if they see cars, that doesn’t mean the drivers can see them,” Dr. Banks said. “We don’t want anyone to be hurt.”
For more tips on Halloween safety, visit the CDC website.
