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Trick-or-Treat Safety: A Pediatrician’s Guide for Parents
Halloween season is a magical time for kids and teens alike. Creating costumes taps into their inner creativity but can also help them learn the safest routes through the neighborhood.
However, as enjoyable as the October festivities can be, they can quickly turn into a nightmare if children experience allergic reactions to treats or trip and fall due to ill-fitting costumes.
There’s no better time to observe these Halloween safety tips, from costume safety to candy guidelines, and let your mini-goblins join in the fun.
Costume Safety – Keeping the Fun and Avoiding the Fright
For a start, costumes that are too big can lead to tripping hazards. Make sure your kid’s costume fits them well, especially around the legs and feet. Shorter costumes can help prevent falls and keep kids safe as they walk.
Masks may seem fun, but they also make it hard to see clearly. Opt for non-toxic makeup to create fun designs while keeping the face visible. This way, children can enjoy their costumes without the risk of impaired sight.
Bonus Tips for Homemade Costumes
Use soft fabrics and avoid anything sharp or that could snag.
Add LED lights or reflective tape to enhance visibility.
Layer clothing to create spooky effects while ensuring warmth.
Have kids try on the costume and move around to ensure it’s comfortable and safe.
Safe Trick-or-Treating – On the Hunt for Candy
After creating your kid’s costume, it’s time for a chat about choosing well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods. Schedule a daytime walk and have your child point out unfamiliar spaces. Remind them to stick to the usual and avoid unexplored areas.
Explore your neighborhood, and then take a moment to sit down and draw a map. Use this drawing activity to plan a safe route, avoid vehicle traffic, and prevent your child from getting lost.
A Trip with Younger Children
At the start of the activity, explain safety rules to them, like staying with the group and not wandering off. Make sure that the little ones are within sight, and keep an eye out for any potential dangers, like a blindspot where a parked car could accidentally hit crossing kids.
Letting Older Kids Go with Friends
Talk to your kids about their Halloween plans, including where they’re going, who they’ll be with, and the best time to finish their adventure.
Remind your child to check in if plans change or they feel uncomfortable. Give them space to enjoy their independence while letting them know they can always come to you if needed.
This is also a good opportunity to observe their interactions with peers. If you have questions about your child’s behavior development, contact the pediatricians at Children’s Medical Centers of Fresno.
Street Smarts for Spooky Streets
Always cross streets at designated crosswalks. When planning a safe route, have your kids identify the crosswalks. To help them remember how to use these features, create a similar crosswalk (by sticking colored paper on the floor) and rehearse the proper way of crossing.
Walk, don’t run, between houses. While it’s an exciting time to move across houses, tell them why it’s best to walk. Unlike running, walking is less tiresome, and if you’re not as tired, you can visit as many houses and get more goodies!
Don’t eat the treats right away. Remind your kids to wait until they’re home before eating any candy and make a game out of candy-checking. This is one of the most important pointers as it ensures they make fun Halloween memories instead of a trip to the ER for choking or allergic reactions.
Halloween Health Tip:
Schedule an appointment to have your kids’ teeth checked after the spooky season. Inspecting tooth and gum health before toothaches happen is a proactive way to protect those molars from tooth decay and ensure proper oral health care.
Candy Safety – Sorting the Sweet Loot
After trick-or-treating, you can do Halloween safety activities with your kid. Take your detective costumes and magnifying glasses to inspect all the collected candies. Check for:
Tampered or expired items that may have been accidentally mixed in
If your child has food allergies, you may have already taught them to be cautious about gobbling treats without checking the label (if they are old enough to read). If they cannot read labels, set rules to only eat treats after checking them at home.
When filling your pumpkin bowls with treats, add another bowl for non-food treats—from bracelets, necklaces, and beads for little fashionistas to crayons, cute pens, and coloring books for aspiring artists.
Healthy Halloween – A Balanced Approach to Treats
This Halloween season is a great opportunity to teach your child about sharing and moderation when enjoying candy. While picking out candies, encourage them to think about how much they would take and use this as a chance to discuss sharing with others.
You can also use stories or examples to show the importance of moderation. Talk about the difference between eating all the candies at once and feeling sick versus saving some for later to enjoy over time.
Lastly, ensure that the Halloween treats don’t disrupt the balanced nutrition you provide for your child. Set clear rules for when they can enjoy their treats.
The Importance of Staying Warm and Hydrated
According to weather forecast sites, October is likely to experience mild and pleasant weather, with daytime temps ranging from 75°F to 86°F.
To keep the outdoor fun going, consider the forecasts when choosing your child’s costume.
If it will be warm, pick a costume made of thinner material.
You can layer costumes to keep warm without restricting movement if it is chilly.
Since heat or coldness levels change throughout the day, pick a relatively warm time to roam and search for Halloween goodies.
Whether you’ll accompany your kid or let them join a group of trick-and-treaters, give them bottled water so they can stay hydrated. Have them swear an oath not to drink a lot of sweetened drinks, like soda or flavored juices.
Make This Halloween a Safe and Memorable One
Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and spooky fun, but ensuring safety doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying it with your kids. Use these trick-or-treat safety tips and unlock core memories without worrying about tummy aches or seasonal sniffles.
For any concerns about your child’s health, book an appointment today at one of our two pediatric clinics in Fresno: