Baby Specialist

Halloween is such a fun time for the kids to get all dressed up in their costumes and go trick-or-treating. However there are a lot of things that can make such a fun occasion go sour real quick. Make sure you are watching out for your kids, and make sure to keep them out of harm’s way. To avoid the many dangers children face while trick or treating, use common sense. Be aware of potential Halloween hazards and take precautions to eliminate them. Consider heading for an indoor Halloween party and bypass any chaos or danger.

One thing that is gaining in popularity is trunk-or-treating. This is where a bunch of people meet at a central location, usually with a big parking lot, and hand out candy from the trunks of their car. This eliminates the risk of drivers not seeing your children as they walk around the neighborhoods. Also, it eliminates the risk of going to a house that has people that can harm your children.

One idea I have heard and will use with my children is to feed them before they go Trick-or-Treating. By doing this they will not be tempted to sneak some candy while they are out knocking on doors. That way we can inspect all of the candy before any of it is consumed.

I have compiled a list of things we can do to make sure our kids are safe this halloween. If I have missed anything please leave us a comment and let us know any additional safety tips you have.

Halloween Safety Check List:

• Wear flame retardant costumes.
• Make sure your Halloween costume is colorfast so the color doesn’t run onto your other clothes if it rains.
• Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.
• Hem your costumes so you don’t trip and fall.
• Apply reflective tape to your Halloween costumes.
• Avoid cumbersome masks. Use make-up instead.
• Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.
• Wear comfortable, practical shoes.
• Double tie your shoelaces so you don’t trip.
• Keep your costume and wig away from candles.
• Don’t carry fake swords, guns, knives or similar accessories that look authentic. Make sure they’re flexible and cannot harm anyone.
• Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark.
• Take along money for a phone call.
• Wear identification that’s easy to read.
• Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult.
• Follow a curfew and take a watch with a backlight.
• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
• Walk. No running.
• Don’t trample through flower beds and gardens.
• Watch out for open flames in jack-o-Lanterns.
• Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods.
• Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.
• Only visit well lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.
• Don’t enter any houses unless you know the people.
• Carry a spare Halloween bag — in case yours breaks or you fill your original one.
• Don’t approach unfamiliar pets and animals.
• Don’t cut across yards and stay out of back yards.
• Follow traffic signals and don’t jaywalk.
• Always watch for cars backing up or turning.
• Review the “stop, drop and roll” procedure in case your costume catches on fire.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Respect other people and their property.
• Be polite and say “thank you.”
• Don’t eat any candy until it’s inspected for tampering under bright lights.
• Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.
• Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.
• Consider having a party instead of Trick or Treating.

Also, there has been a candy recall of “Pirate Chocolate Coins”. Here is the link:
http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp

With Halloween upon us you can’t be too careful!