Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). From costume safety to dietary and nutritional counseling about candy consumption, we’ve compiled essential guidance to help your family enjoy a healthy Halloween. Following these practical tips will help your child stay safe and happy while at home or outside trick-or-treating in Cumming, GA.
Comprehensive Guide to Halloween Safety
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children. To make the most of this enjoyable season while keeping your children safe, consider these important safety guidelines recommended by pediatric experts.
Safety Tips for Planning a Halloween Costume
When selecting Halloween costumes your child’s safety should always be the top priority. A helpful first tip is to plan bright and reflective outfits. You can add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility. Shoes must fit properly, and costumes need to be short enough to prevent entanglement or tripping. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for items that clearly indicate they are flame-resistant. Also, be cautious of long or sharp accessories like swords, canes or sticks that could cause trips or falls.
Since masks can limit or block eyesight, consider using non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. However, first test any makeup on a small patch of skin to check for an allergic reaction. And if the costume does include a hat, make sure it fits properly and won’t slide over your child’s eyes. Also, be aware of the risks of potential eye infections or disorders stemming from decorative contact lenses. These lenses are certainly appealing to kids, but should only be worn after getting a prescription from an eye care professional.
Before heading out for Halloween activities, take time to review emergency procedures with your children. Make sure they know how to call 911 if they experience an emergency or become lost. Also, follow our tips for keeping your baby stress-free during the holidays.
Safety Tips for Carving Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving is a fun activity for children, but there are some safety considerations for younger kids. Small children can participate by drawing the eyes, nose and mouth with markers, while parents do the actual cutting. When it comes to illuminating the pumpkin, use flashlights or glow sticks, or a small votive candle rather than tapers. Once the carving is completed, keep the candlelit pumpkin on a sturdy table (if indoors) well away from curtains and other flammable objects. Also, never leave lit pumpkins unattended.
Halloween Safety Tips at Home
To keep homes safe for trick-or-treaters, prepare the home’s exterior in advance. Start by removing potential tripping hazards from the porch and front yard, such as water hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Next, check that all outdoor lighting is functioning properly and replace any burned-out bulbs. If you have wet leaves or snow on the sidewalk and steps, sweep the area to prevent slipping. Finally, restrain pets when trick-or-treaters visit to prevent accidents.
Halloween Health Tips for Kids
Before heading out to trick-or-treat or attend a Halloween party, prepare a good meal to discourage your children from filling up on treats. And if you’re welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home, it’s a good idea to offer non-food items such as coloring books, pens or pencils. At the end of the night, check for unwrapped or spoiled treats and discard anything suspicious. Children will naturally be excited to taste-test their goodies, and you can encourage them to make their treats last over the days and weeks that follow. If your child shows signs of illness after their activities, you can make a sick care or well-child care visit for convenient treatment.
When Trick or Treating:
1. A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
2. Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
3. 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.
4. Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
5. Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters: Share the route you intend to take for your trick-or-treat adventure and keep your group together. Remember to use reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags for visibility. Stick to well-lit streets and sidewalks and carry a cellphone for emergency communication. If there’s no sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic, and avoid shortcuts through yards or alleys. Remember that motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters, so be extra cautious when crossing streets.
Visit Us for Sick Care and Well-Child Visits in Cumming, GA
At Vickery Pediatrics we provide first-rate health and wellness services to children from Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and Forsyth County. For dependable well-child and sick care visits, speak with our team today. Call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment.
