Even though it’s not an official holiday, Halloween is much beloved by children and adults alike.
What could be more fun than trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, or costume parties?
To make sure treats are safe for children, follow these simple steps: Snacking: Children shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags while they’re out trick-ortreating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach.
Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect their loot before they eat any of it.
Safe treats: Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
Food Allergies: If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Do not allow the child to eat any home-baked goods he or she may have received.
Choking hazards: If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.
If your idea of Halloween fun is a party at home, don’t forget these tips: Beware of spooky cider! Unpasteurized juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. To stay safe, always serve pasteurized products at your parties.
No matter how tempting, don't taste raw cookie dough or cake batter that contain uncooked eggs or unbaked flour.
“Scare' bacteria away by keeping all perishable foods chilled until serving time. These include finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, poultry, or seafood, and cream pies or cakes with whipped-cream and cream-cheese frostings.
Bacteria will creep up on you if you let foods sit out too long. Don’t leave perishable goodies out of the fridge for more than two hours (1 hour in temperatures above 90°F).
Costume Safety: Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won't cause safety hazards.
All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fireresistant.
If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks.
Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops.
Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation Here's a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.
Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night: A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you.
Agree on a specific time children should return home.
Teach your children never to enter a stranger's home or car.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies.
NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours: Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.