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Tips for a safe and healthy Halloween

Trick-or-treat only during designated local times

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2015) — With additional traffic on the roads Saturday for Halloween, families should take additional precautions this year to ensure child pedestrian safety, states the University of Kentucky.

trickTreat2015Consider a few facts from Safe Kids International:

  • Twice as many children are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
  • One-third of parents discuss Halloween safety with their children.
  • One in nine parents allow children younger than 5 to trick-or-treat by themselves.
  • One in eight middle-schoolers cross the street while distracted by an electronic device.

Dr. Alba Morales, a pediatric endocrinologist at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, offers recommendations to help families avoid overloading on unhealthy candy.

Recommendations include:

  • Eat a healthy and complete meal before trick-or-treating.
  • Make trick-or-treating a fun physical activity by setting distance or steps goals.
  • Limit the amount of candy a child is allowed to eat. Consider donating excess candy or storing away for special occasions.
  • Households giving out candy can consider toys or stickers instead of candy.

Hannan recommends the following advice to parents of trick-or-treaters:

  • If you trick-or-treat go within the time frame designated by local officials.
  • Consider alternative indoor or family friendly events instead of traditional trick-or-treating.
  • Make sure trick-or-treaters can be seen by drivers at night. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so opt instead for non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible.
  • When selecting a costume, make sure it’s the right size to prevent trips and falls.
  • Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
  • Children younger than 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
  • Advise kids old enough to walk alone to stay in areas that are well-lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  • Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so drivers should be especially alert for kids during those hours.
  • Talk to your children about putting down their electronic devices when walking or crossing the street.
  • Only accept and consume factory-wrapped candy. Limit the amount of candy consumed by kids on Halloween night to prevent sickness.