News Dell Children's Offers Some Halloween Safety Tips For the Big Night

AUSTIN, Texas - (October 27, 2011) - Ghouls and goblins will be heading out into their neighborhoods searching for those Halloween treats. The Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity at Dell Children's Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics has some healthy and safety tips to make sure everyone enjoys an evening of trick -or- treating.

Healthy Halloween:

• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books, pens, pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos, funny teeth, small toys (but not for little children), silly bands, etc..
• If you do buy candy, don't bring it out before Halloween or everyone at home might tempted to eat it!
  Make sure your children have eaten a healthy meal before going out to trick-or-treat.
• Give your children smaller sized trick or treat bags; they will fill up more quickly, and reduce the amount of treats the kids bring home.
• When you return home, let the kids treasure and sort out their treats, choosing which kinds they would like to keep.
• Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Halloween is a special holiday that many kids look forward to, so if they would like, let them eat a fair amount of their candy. It's ok if this is more sweet food than they would eat on a typical day. If they would like, let them more than usual amount the next day too.
  • If we restrict kids too much then they are more likely to crave more later.
• With treats that are left over, have them put them away and allow only 1 to 2 small treats for the next few days with meals.
• If your child's interest still lingers after a few days, consider having your child trade them to you, for a non-edible treat of your choice, and you can discard the candy.
  

Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters:

• Consider giving out a healthy snack or non-food treat.
  • Stickers, temporary tattoos, funny teeth, small toys (but not for little children), silly bands, etc.
• Clear you porch so trick-or-treaters won't trip.

Going Trick-or-Treating:

• Walking through your neighborhood together is a great family activity.
  • Great way to have fun with your kids.
  • Great way to meet you neighbors and your community.
• The costume, help your kids see and be seen:
  • Consider make-up instead of a mask as masks can prevent them from seeing well.
  • Make sure shoes fit and costumes don't make them trip.
  • Consider adding reflective tape, let your kids carry a flashlight, wear a bright/reflective costume or carry a bright trick or treat bag.
  • Could they fall over or hurt themselves with a sword, cane or stick?
• Make sure they know to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency.
• A parent or adult should accompany children.
• Never enter a car or a home for a treat.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Trick-or-Treat as a group.

Be sure to visit the American Academy of Pediatrics for more great Halloween Safety tips.