Understanding the Dangers of Trick-or-treating

MSM RebrandNow that Halloween is right around the corner, parents need to prepare their children with safety tips for Halloween in 2019. It’s all about candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating, but for parents, ensuring your child’s health and safety is the primary objective.

To help keep parents informed about the dangers of trick-or-treating, MOTION Physical Therapy in Lynbrook has created a list of safety tips that parents can assess for their children.

Picking the Right Costume

Believe it or not, something as simple as your child’s costume can affect their safety. Most accidents on Halloween are caused by costumes that are too dark to see in the night, according to the National Safety Council. Eye-catching costumes can help drivers on the road avoid any potential traffic threats. Naturally, keeping your child away from the street should be a priority in its own right. When shopping for Halloween, consider buying bright-colored costumes, masks, and accessories. If your child insists on wearing a dark costume, there are other ways to keep them safe, such as the following:

  • Give your child a flashlight or glow stick.
  • Avoid face masks that cover their eyes or cause visual disturbances.
  • Make sure the costume fits. Long capes or oversized shoes can cause your child to trip.
  • Use non-toxic face paint from a store you trust.
  • Limit the accessories. Children that play with sharp accessories can hurt themselves or others around them.

Keeping Track of Halloween Treats

While sneaking in a treat or two may be tempting for your little one, go over strict rules about eating candy before they go trick-or-treating. Tampering is uncommon, but it’s still important to inspect each piece of candy before your child can indulge. Throw out candy or snacks that look unwrapped or homemade. Unless you know the source of where the candy comes from, it’s safer to toss out candy that is not in its original wrapper. Remember to give your children dinner before they go out so they don’t snack afterward.

Below is a list of other potential red flags to be mindful of:

  • Candy that looks unsanitary, dirty, or old.
  • Dangerous ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or illnesses.
  • Keep large pieces of candy that can cause young children to choke.

After Halloween, parents should keep monitoring how much candy their child eats to avoid health issues. Instead of leaving candy in a bowl, keep it in a hidden spot that’s not in your child’s reach.

Staying In Safe Neighborhoods

Strolling in a new neighborhood can be confusing to children who are unfamiliar with its traffic regulations. Make sure your child looks both ways before crossing the street, and only crosses where there are signals, stop signs, and other traffic regulations. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year, according to the National Safety Council.

If you think your kids are ready to go trick-or-treating alone, make sure they avoid strangers by staying within a local neighborhood. However, children that are 12 years old or older should stay within a group at all times.

To keep them safe, tell your children to remember the following:

  • Stay in areas with good lighting. Avoid dark alleys and driveways.
  • Have an emergency number taped to a costume or saved on a cellphone.
  • Keep a name tag and phone number on each costume.
  • Never go inside a strangers’ home or car.
  • Return home at a specific time.

Keep Children Safe in Your Own Home

It’s important to practice what you preach. If you are handing out candy at your home, keep a clear pathway in the yard or driveway so children don’t trip. Make sure jack-o-lanterns and candles are not a potential fire hazard.

Contact MOTION Physical Therapy in Lynbrook

For more questions or concerns about Halloween safety, please contact MOTION for Physical Therapy in Lynbrook.