October 16, 2008

Remember these Halloween safety tips

Halloween is a fun time for millions of children across the country. Unfortunately, there are thousands that end up in the emergency room due to preventable accidents.

So before you start picking out the perfect costume for your little goblins and begin gathering goodies, here are several safety tips to help you to have a fun and safe Halloween.

Decking out pumpkins

* Have the little ones draw the design and you be their carving assistant

* Let the little goblins push in the carvings (the eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)

* You scrape the guts; they pull out the guts

* Use battery-operated artificial light inside the jack-o’-lantern

Picking out costumes

* Pick a costume both you and your little ones can easily get in and out of

* Wear bright colors (add a splash of neon color to your costume if black)

* Don’t get wands, swords, pistols, etc. Kids can get hurt and you end up carrying them anyway.

When trick-or-treating

* Always have them within view! Tell your little ones,” If you can’t see me, I can’t see you;”

* Nothing should be in your child’s hands except for their baskets

* Everyone should have a type of light stick on them at all times

Before the sugar rush

* Check all the treats! Throw away all suspicious and unwrapped candy

* Completely sealed candies; Submerge your candy in a bowl of water; if you see air bubbles or wet candy, throw it away

* Take treats to a courthouse or an airport and get it X-rayed if available

After the sugar rush

* Settling their tummies: Drink a glass of water or warm milk after filling up on candy

* Brush teeth immediately after eating candy

* Before bedtime, do something relaxing like reading a good Halloween book