Parenting: Tips for a Happy and Safe Halloween

By Lisa Brady

‘Trick-or-treat’ is right around the corner and one way to help keep Halloween safe is to make sure kids can see and be seen.

“Costumes should be as bright and colorful as possible, especially since a lot of trick or treating happens in the evening hours,” Dr. Omar Baker says. “And we always recommend to our patients if the costume is dark to consider using reflective tape.”

Dr. Baker also says make sure younger kids can’t trip on their costumes, use a flashlight, walk in large groups with parents, if under age 12 and watch where kids are walking.

“Kids get extremely excited during Halloween, sometimes in unpredictable ways, so pay close attention to the sidewalks,” Dr. Baker says.

He also urges homeowners to clear a path, keep lights on and pets inside and to help avoid a sore tummy.

“You want kids to be kids, but obviously with guidelines and limitations.”

He also says a good meal before they go out can help curb the appetite for candy when they get home.

Some familiar advice still holds true. Dr. Baker says remind kinds not to eat any candy that’s not in its original wrapper. He also encourages homeowners to keep kids with allergies in mind and to only offer treats that don’t contain nuts. For young children, he suggests non-toxic face paint as an alternative to masks, but says don’t forget to wash it off before bedtime. And he reminds everyone not to look at their cell phone while they’re walking.