I love this time of year – Halloween is such a great holiday, bringing families into their communities to meet their neighbours and have fun. And the candy is a bonus! That said, we all know that there are some potential dangers lurking, so I consulted Health Canada to see their recommendations. Here’s their top safety tips.
Costumes
First, of course you have to have safe costumes. Make sure you look for fire resistant items, and avoid anything too dark, or any face masks that impede vision. Costumes need to fit well (and probably over winter jackets if you live in Newfoundland!), and be bright enough for motorists to see – adding reflective tape can be a good measure. And costume weapons or accessories should be soft.
Also, if you’re using makeup, it’s a good idea to test out a small portion before applying all over your child’s face. Remember that hypoallergenic makeups are often available.
Decorating
You probably don’t need me to tell you that while your child can help, you need to do the pumpkin carving yourself. And of course, be wary of any candles you’re using. Finally, think about all the trick-or-treaters who will be visiting your house, and make sure that your house is well lit, and any pathways are free of clutter.
Trick-or-Treating
It’s a good idea to give your children flashlights while they’re trick-or-treating, to make them more visible to cars. Make sure they’re careful when crossing the street. If your child is old enough to go out alone with their friends, make sure they know not to go inside anyone’s house, and to always stay with their friends. And all children should know to wait until you’ve had a chance to go over their candy before eating it.
And another good tip – try to feed them a nice, healthy meal before heading out. It might make them less likely to sneak treats, or to be so ravenous that they eat 5 pounds of sugar when they get home.
Don’t Forget Your Pets!
The focus is on children, but Halloween can actually be a stressful time for pets. With all the coming and going, it’s easy for pets to get outside on Halloween night, and then with all the commotion to get lost. And that’s not something anyone wants. Please keep an eye on Fido and Furball, making sure they stay inside, so that everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!
To see all these Halloween tips, please see the complete Health Canada list here. Otherwise, I hope you have a great time celebrating with your family. Remember to not get too crazy with the candy, and that I’m always here to answer any Newfoundland real estate questions, at mark@markglynnhomes.com.