HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Trick or Treat, stay safe near the street. As many families will partake in Halloween festivities, here are some helpful tips to keep your little ghosts, goblins, or Fortnite llamas, safe:

Consider this:

• “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.”- Safe Kids Worldwide
• Stick to well-lit and familiar areas when choosing trick or treat routes.
• Always ensure a trusted adult accompanies children while trick-or-treating.
• Use sidewalks where possible.
• When crossing streets, look left-right-left before crossing. Try to stick to crosswalks and corners, as there tends to be extra vehicular traffic on residential streets.
• Use flashlights, reflective strips, glow-bands or sticks for pedestrian visibility.
• Ensure your child’s sight is not obstructed if using a mask as part of their costume.
• Drivers, anticipate heavy foot traffic from trick or treaters- drive extra slow and turn on headlights earlier for better identification of pedestrians.

Treat Safety:

• Never enter a home to get candy or treats.
• Have all candy checked by an adult carefully. If candy appears tampered with or something seems odd, it’s better to throw it out.
• Be aware of non-edible treats given out, such as small toys, which may be choking hazards for kids.
• Sweet treats aren’t for everyone:
  • Consider non-sweet options for those with food allergies or Type 1 diabetes (the type most commonly diagnosed in childhood). Dairy or nut allergies are just a few common allergies experienced and can lead to serious medical complications.
  • Consider offering a non-edible option (stickers, toys) to ensure children with limitations feel included.
  • The Food Allergy Research & Education’s (FARE) Teal Pumpkin Project has tips listed for becoming part of this allergy awareness movement. Some of the suggestions are listed below:
    • Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters
    • Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to passersby that you have non-food treats available
    • Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map
    • Spread the word! Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family

For more information on this project, visit: https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project/get-started

Lastly, if you experience trick or treaters who seem older in age, consider the possibility of other medical conditions such as Autism or developmental delays before turning them away.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Sources:

Food Allergy Research & Education Organization, https://www.foodallergy.org/
Halloween Tips for Children (n.d.) South Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma, www.STRAC.org