The Trick To A Healthy And Safe Halloween

BINGHAMTON, NY - Many people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats. But, roughly four times as many children ages five through 14 are killed while walking on Halloween compared with other nights of the year, and falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween. "Many Halloween-related injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities," said Diane O'Hora, Director of Health Education for the Broome County Health Department.

"Halloween poses special risks to young pedestrians," noted Ms. Chytilo. "For example, children spend most of their time outdoors during daylight hours; however, Halloween activities often occur after dark. Also, children engaged in "Trick or Treat" activities frequently cross streets at mid-block rather than at corners or crosswalks, putting them at increased risk for injuries."

Many parents overestimate their children's street-crossing skills. Young children may lack the physical ability to cross a street quickly and their small size limits their visibility to drivers. They lack the ability to accurately judge the distance and speed of oncoming traffic. "Children are likely to choose the shortest, rather than the safest, route across streets, often darting out between parked cars," stated Chytilo.

Both adults and children need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe. Before your children leave the house on Halloween night, you should:

• Make sure that an adult will supervise children under age 12.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartments that are well lit, and never to enter a stranger's home.
• Establish a return time.
• Have children carry flashlights that will help prevent falls and make children more visible.
• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home and you have inspected the goodies.

Costumes should:

• Be made from fire-retardant materials.
• Be loose enough to wear over warm clothes.
• Be short enough so that they won't cause a tripping hazard.
• Be made of light-colored materials.
• Have strips of reflective tape to make children more visible.

Masks and accessories should:

• Not obstruct a child's vision - make-up is a safer option.
• Have nose and mouth openings and large eyeholes.
• Be made of cardboard or flexible materials.
• Be light-colored and trimmed with reflective tape.

Once back home, Ms. Chytilo advises parents to check the children's treats to make certain that they have not been tampered with and are safely sealed. Check for food items your child has allergies to. Most importantly, if in doubt, throw it out!

This year take STEPS TO A HEALTHIER BROOME COUNTY by handing out the following non-traditional but nutritious goodies:

• Mini rice cereal bites or cereal bars
• Packages of trail mix or nuts
• Small boxes of raisins or small packages of dried fruit
• Sugar free gum
• Mini juice boxes
• Snack-size packages of peanut butter and crackers, graham crackers or oatmeal cookies
• Low fat cheese and cracker packs
• Low fat cheese sticks or beef jerky or
• Sugar free instant hot cocoa.

Non-food treats also welcomed by youngsters include Halloween themed:

• Pencils and pens
• Stickers
• Temporary tattoos
• Spider rings
• Erasers
• Toothbrushes
• Mylar balloons
• Whistles
• Coloring books and
• Pennies or nickels.

Parents need to be certain that all items in your little goblin's bags are age appropriate and won't be a choking hazard for smaller children. For more information on Halloween health and safety tips, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3921.

CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Director of Health Education
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3921
email: jcchytilo@co.broome.ny.us

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