Have a Safe Halloween

In recent years, Halloween has penetrated the Filipino culture. Why not? Celebrating Halloween is fun. It is the time of the year when children of all ages can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat lots of food (including candies). While sweets are most often given to kids who go on trick-or-treating, Halloween gives us the chance to give out healthy snacks and plan for enjoyable physical activities. Let us also remember that the festive fun calls for public safety for the kids, the not very young but not old, and for the adults as well.

Safety tips for Halloween

1. Pirate costumes and super hero get-ups are in. Knives and sharp instruments that go with aforesaid costumes should be short, soft, and flexible.

2. If your kids are trick-or-treating in a village, advice them to walk in groups. It is even better to have them walk with their ‘yaya’ or a trusted adult.

3. Treats should not be ‘choking hazards’. Check for tampering before letting them eat their treats. Tell them to limit the amount of treats they eat. Tell them that they can eat some tomorrow and still some, the days after tomorrow.

4. Allow them to eat only ‘factory-wrapped’ treats. Homemade treats may not be safe when made by strangers.

5. If they’re going to trick-or-treat during the night, provide them with flashlights. Strictly tell them that they can’t run in the street because streets are made for cars. Tell them to always look right-left-right or both ways before crossing the street. Tell them to only walk, but not run, on sidewalks. Tell them to just walk and don’t run from house to house. Tell them to never walk near lit candles.

6. Tell them that they can’t enter homes without ‘yaya’ or a trusted adult.

7. To avoid skin irritation and/or allergy. Always test face paint or make-up on a small area of your kid’s forearm overnight. If there is no redness or itchiness on the area then the make-up or paint must be safe for him. Remove the make-up or face paint before bedtime to avoid possible eye or skin irritation on longwearing.

8. Masks, costumes, and shoes should be well-fitting to avoid trips, slips, and falls. Costumes should (whenever possible) be flame-resistant. Avoid sharing masks. If they have to, a small ethyl alcohol spray should come in handy and practical.

9. A piece of advice for adults: Don’t wear decorative contact lenses to avoid eye irritation.

Throwing a party? Go for healthier treats like low-calories foods and beverages. Fruits and vegetables in the menu are unique and might just be hits to partygoers. Party games should be an opportunity for a usual daily dose of physical activity. If possible, throw an alcohol-free Halloween party. Remind drivers to never drink and drive. Tell them to drive safely and watch out for trick-or-treaters.