“Don’t eat homemade Halloween treats because they may have razor blades in them.” In fact, this little gem of a Halloween safety tip has actually proven to be more of an urban legend than a real threat, but it’s still a top concern for parents problem. In time for Halloween this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics has prepared a list of legal trick-or-treating safety tips for parents of children of all ages. These recommendations are based on what pediatricians know about the real dangers and risks families encounter when they are frightened outside.
Halloween is not dangerous because there are evil people throwing candy and no shadows lurking around. This is the result of a combination of factors: Children are out at dusk and at night, when they are invisible (and harder to see). They are excited and may run around. Costumes can have long hems or floppy feet. When it all comes together, it just makes their risk of injury a little higher than it would be on a typical weeknight.
“Halloween is a wonderful time of year for children, families and communities. But it is also a time when children may get excited and go for walks outside at dusk or after dark,” Dr. Deanna Behrens in the United States said a memo from the Academy of Pediatrics. “Traffic, tripping hazards and hard-to-find costumes can all become dangerous if precautions are not taken. We want everyone to have fun but also stay safe at the same time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents take the following steps to keep children of all ages safe while trick-or-treating:
- Choose visible clothing, or add lights to dark clothing. Dark clothing can make it difficult for drivers to see children crossing the road. Choosing brightly colored clothing can go a long way in ensuring that motorists can see your child. If your child has chosen dark clothing this year, you can increase their visibility by using a glow-in-the-dark treatment bucket or adding some small battery-operated lights to their bags or clothing.
- Go trick-or-treating before dark. Apparently it’s safer to trick-or-treat when the sun is up and everyone can see clearly.
- Cross the road as a group on the established pedestrian crossing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 62 percent of child pedestrian traffic fatalities occur in the middle of a block rather than at an intersection. Teach your children not to cross outside designated crosswalks, between parked cars, or in driveways or alleys.
- Choose clothing that fits well and is flame-retardant. If your child trips over Chewbacca feet or the train of Elsa’s dress, consider making some adjustments to reduce the risk of them tripping or getting caught on something. Hats and wigs should fit so they don’t slip off and block your child’s vision. The American Children’s Federation says there will also be more pumpkins with candles inside and fire pits surrounding them during Halloween, so while flame-retardant costumes may seem like an overkill, they are important.
- Set your expectations before heading out with older children. If your child goes trick-or-treating without an adult, make the rules clear. Only approach homes with porch lights on. Carry a flashlight and only cross roads where there are designated crosswalks. Know which route they will take and when they should return home.
- Parents with food allergies should bring an EpiPen, just in case. Make sure you have an epinephrine auto-injector and a charged phone handy to call 911 in an emergency. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against allowing children with food allergies to eat candy when out and about. Instead, wait until you get home, where you can go through their loot thoroughly and throw away risky items.
- Be aware of choking hazards. The AAP says hard, sticky or sticky candies, gum, apple chunks and popcorn should be kept away from children 4 years and younger to prevent choking. Some houses give out small toys instead of candy, so be sure to remove the toy from your child’s candy stash if it will fit in the child’s mouth.
If your child has any specific medical conditions, such as food allergies or epilepsy (which some people may be triggered by strobe lights), talk with your pediatrician about how to address your specific concerns. If you still don’t want to accept homemade treats from anyone you don’t know, feel free to go ahead and say no thank you. A little more caution never hurt anyone.
