Keeping Children Safe, Healthy on Halloween: Tips from Harvard Health Publications
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and we can all help to make sure that children have a safe and fun holiday with the following tips from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing group at Harvard Medical School.
Candy
Kids will be less likely to overload on candy if they eat something before they go out. And they'll be more likely to do that if you make it fun. One idea: host a make your own jack o' lantern pizza party. Give each child a miniature pizza and allow him to create a masterpiece. You can use onions, peppers, or olives for eyes, and mushrooms for a toothy grin.
Before Halloween, decide -- with your children -- on a specific number of candies they can eat per day, and how long that should go on. After that cut- off date, donate the excess candy or put it away and take it out for special treats throughout the year. Set a treat calorie limit for yourself as well. Of course, make sure your child knows not to eat any treats until you've checked them to make sure the safety seal hasn't been tampered with.
Costumes
Costumes are an essential part of Halloween fun, but hazardous situations can arise if a costume is made from the wrong materials or does not fit properly. "Every Halloween we see children brought to our emergency department with problems related to costumes. Masks that are ill-fitting interfere with vision, and outfits that are baggy or extend beyond ankles lead to trips and falls," said Harvard Health Letter advisory board member Dr. John T. Nagurney, who is an attending physician in emergency services at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Children who will be trick-or-treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and treat bags, and should carry flashlights with fresh batteries.
Jack-O'-Lanterns
Carving Jack-O'-Lanterns is a Halloween tradition that the whole family can participate in, though small children should never do the actual carving. Let them draw a face with markers, and then you can do the cutting. Under parents' supervision, children aged 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters that have safety bars.
Home safety
Keep your own home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters by removing anything that a child could trip over and by replacing any burned-out outdoor light bulbs.
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing branch of Harvard Medical School. Publications include monthly consumer health newsletters focusing on general health, women's health, men's health, mental health, and cardiovascular health; more than 40 special health reports; and 15 books. For more information, visit us at http://www.health.harvard.edu/ or call 1-877-649- 9457 (toll free).Source: Harvard Health Publications
BOSTON, Oct. 4, 2005 /PRNewswire/ --
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