AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From the Winifred Sanderson point of view, All Hallows’ Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok. However, with some tips from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, people can tone down the running amok and still have a fun and safe Halloween.
“Halloween can be a lot of fun, but everyone needs to be safe out there,” said Tera Glenn, an Alabama Extension human nutrition, diet and health regional agent. “From candy to costumes, there are a few things that parents and guardians should keep in mind to keep their children safe.”
Beware of scary candy
Candy is one of the reasons why so many people enjoy Halloween. However, there are a few things to watch out for.
The tales of poisoned candy seem to resurface every year. However, the incidents of intentional poisonings have been rare. There is, in fact, a scarier incident that people need to watch for: food allergens. Allergies can develop at any stage of life but are more likely at a young age. People should always check their child’s candy to make sure that it does not contain any of their known allergens.
“Make sure to go through the candy together and pull out everything that they may have an allergic reaction to,” Glenn said. “It is always great to do this with your kids because it is a time for them to learn what to look for too.”
While instances are rare, it is a good idea to also look for candy that has been tampered with. Parents should not be worried or frightened but should practice caution, especially when trick-or-treating in unknown areas.
“Parents should check the candy before they allow their children to consume it,” Glenn said. “Be on the lookout for signs the candy has been tampered with and throw it away if you’re unsure.”
For those that have trick-or-treaters visit their home, having small toys and trinkets on hand is a great way to prepare for children who may have allergies. Some examples include spider rings, vampire teeth, bouncy balls, small slinkies and stickers. These are typically inexpensive and are a good alternative to candy.
Trick-or-treating safety
In addition to candy, there are some other important safety tips that parent, guardians and children should remember when trick-or-treating.
Visit known areas. When possible, only take children to trick or treat at known houses and communities. Visiting friends, family and known neighbors can lessen the risk of receiving unwanted or dangerous candies and toys.
Be safe when out and about. With so many people driving around town on Halloween, always pay attention to traffic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent that, the CDC recommends having a few safety items for trick-or-treaters. These include a flashlight, reflective tape on their costume and candy bag and an emergency contact information card.
Throw a monster mash at home. For those that have concerns about venturing out to trick or treat, another idea is to throw a Halloween party at home. This allows children to spend time with friends, while keeping them in a safer environment.
More information
More great information on Halloween safety is available in the following Extension Briefs: “Poison Candy: The Urban Legend of Halloween,” “Halloween Food Safety Tips” and “Peanut Allergies: Combat Fear with Education this Halloween.” People can also contact their county Extension office for more information at www.aces.edu.
