Image by M. Harris from Pixabay
It’s finally October! For some parts of the country, this means cooler weather and a changing of the leaves. For the south, we usually get a few tricks before our treat.
For many, young and old alike, the end of Halloween is all about the treats. Fun costumes, children laughing, and candy!
We’ve gathered some tips to help your family have more treats than tricks this Halloween.
Consider these safety tips to dress safely this Halloween. Rethink decorative contact lenses, select face and body paint wisely, and opt for costumes that do not pose a trip hazard and are made of fire-resistant material.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against over the counter decorative contact lenses. As the agency that governs not only food and drugs, but also cosmetics and medical devices, they are a good source on the matter.
Contact lenses, decorative or otherwise, are regulated medical devices. Not cosmetics. Retailers selling them over the counter, without a prescription, are breaking the law.
Without a proper fit, these lenses could damage your eye. An examination and measurement by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist is needed to fit these devices to your eye.
Poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including:
Face and body paint can add that final touch to your costume. It can be a great alternative to wearing a mask, which may reduce vision or impede breathing. However, there are some risks you should consider when selecting face or body paint.
Only use paint intended for use on the skin.
If you are using a product you have never used before, consider do a test prior to the big day. This will help identify potential allergies you may have with the product. Some additives may cause problems in some people.
In fact, some additives are not legal for cosmetic use. An easy way to find out if your paint leans toward safer is to look at the back of the label. Compare it to the FDA’s Summary of Color Additives. If an color is not on the list, do not use it. Unfortunately, some harmful products make it through and are available to the public. Protect your family by checking the list before buying or using.
The FDA recommends buying only costumes that are either fire-resistant or made with fire-resistant fabrics. While Halloween isn’t typically a “fireworks” holiday, open flames are possible in some areas. Torches, lanterns, pumpkins, and other fire hazards may pose a risk along the way.
Halloween can be all fun and games, but having a plan helps it all happen more safely. Plan your route so that everyone knows what is going on, drive safely while out and about with trick or treaters, and increase visibility while walking about.
Whether an older child is on their own or an adult is accompanying young children, knowing a planned route keeps everyone on the same page. Choose a route that is well-lit to increase visibility. Plan for a time that everyone should meet back up. Whether that is at home or a centralized location.
Avoid walking in the street and only cross at protected intersections.
Whether you are participating in trick or treating or just driving through the neighborhood, use extra caution behind the wheel. There may be more pedestrians than normal during these times. Pay special attention when exiting driveways and alleys and watch for jaywalkers.
Many Halloween activities take place after dark. Dark clothing and walking near a street or in a parking lot can be dangerous if you blend into the shadow. While you may be dressed as a ninja, on Halloween you want to be seen.
Add reflective tape to costumes or use glow sticks to stand out in the dark.
Halloween candy can pose several risks. Particularly those who are young or have food allergies. Inspect candy and emphasize “everything in moderation.”
Having a basket full of candy and other treats can be tempting, even to those with the strongest resolve. To help them make those choices, offer a prize for those with the most candy. It increases the fun and helps ensure that parents can go through the goodies and inspect them before they are consumed.
To reduce the temptation to indulge, feed children or hand out a snack before heading out.
Inspect all treats at home before returning them to the child. Throw away anything that looks tampered with. Inspect for unusual appearance, tiny pinholes, tears in wrappers, unwrapped treats, or discolored items.
Candy, while often laden with sugar, can be a part of a well-balanced diet. Dolling out candy in small amounts can add a sweet treat to the day. Over consumption could spike blood sugar, induce hyperactive behaviors, and build bad habits.
Setting limits and leading by example help children learn good eating habits and help them live a healthy lifestyle.
Taking a few moments to plan, reflect, and select costumes wisely can make a huge difference in the Halloween experience. Make Food Safe wishes your family a safe and Happy Halloween!
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Halloween Safety Tips to Have More Treats Than Tricks This Halloween,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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