GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As you prepare your little ghosts and goblins for a successful night of trick-or-treating, it’s important to keep them safe too.
Primary care sports medicine physician at Prevea Health, Dr. Amy Romandine Kratz, says they’ve developed an acronym called “SAFE HALLOWEEN” which encourages everyone to make healthy and safe choices.
- S – Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
- A – Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
- F – Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or wear a blinking light to help drivers see you.
- E – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
- H – Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
- A – Always test makeup in a small area first. Remove before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
- L – Look both ways before crossing the street, use crosswalks where possible and walk, don’t run!
- L – Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
- O – Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
- W – Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked visions, trips and falls.
- E – Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
- E – Enter a home only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit homes; never stop at a dark house.
- N – Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Romandine Kratz says if your kids have food allergies, look for the houses with teal pumpkins outside.
“If you paint a pumpkin teal and put it out, that means you’re going to have something that’s safe for kids with allergies or food intolerance’s.”
Another thing to keep in mind, is not letting your little ones eat all their candy at once.
“Parents setting up a schedule, sort of rationing the treats in the time following Halloween so there not all eating it at once, can really make it, not only a fun holiday but also a healthy holiday for kids,” said Romandine Kratz.
For more ways on staying healthy and safe during Halloween, go to www.prevea.com.
