School is out for the summer and playgrounds are in full swing. Whether you’re headed to the high tech new spot across town or the old faithful equipment around the corner, accidents happen. That’s why the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons just released safety tips to keep your outside playtime fun, not frightening.
A child in the U.S. visits the emergency room for a playground-related injury every two-and-a-half minutes and ER departments see more than 220,000 children for these injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many of these incidents are preventable by following these tips:
Never go down a slide with a baby or toddler in your lap. The child’s foot can get caught underneath the adult’s leg and cause a twisting injury.
Make sure your kids play on age-appropriate playground equipment.
Check to see that there is enough space for children to easily get off the slide and look for crowding around exit areas.
Double check climbing devices to make sure the handholds are the right size and secure.
Swing seats are best made of plastic or rubber for better grip.
Stay away from equipment with openings where your child’s head could get stuck.
Make sure you can see your kids playing at all times.
Use playgrounds that have soft surfaces (wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber) as opposed to hard surfaces like asphalt.
In warm weather, check equipment before using to make sure it’s not too hot.
Finally, look out for tripping hazards like rocks or sticks and remove from the area before playing.
“In a natural effort to protect themselves, children often will fall on an outstretched hand and break the bones involving the wrist or elbow,” said Dr. Rachel Goldstein, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “By closely supervising children and making sure they are using equipment the way it is intended to be used, these injuries can be curbed. For example, no jumping from the swings and one person at a time on the slide.”
The next time you head out to play, keep these guidelines in mind for a little extra piece of mind. The AAOS has even more tips available at OrthoInfo.org. And get ready to enjoy unrestricted access to your favorite spaces!
Summer is almost here! The air is getting warmer, the sun stays out longer, and it’s likely your teens are getting anxious to start their summer vacation.
Your number one priority is to keep your kids safe, no matter how old they are. Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it can be stressful at times when you have a teenager in the house who wants to explore and soak up every bit of time they have to be themselves.
Thousands of books out there explain how to keep your home safe for an infant, but what about books or recommendations to keep teenagers safe? You can’t just put them in a playpen anymore—they have friends, cellphones, cars and a mind of their own now. To ensure your teen stays safe, check out these safety tips for your summertime teens so you can have a relaxing and bright summer!
Stress the Importance of Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
Hopefully, this tip will be off the list for next year, but it’s still valid for this year. Summertime is often associated with teens spending days on end with their friends and exploring various places. However, you must stress the prevention of spreading COVID-19.
Some states are beginning to reopen, so ensure your teen is following your state’s ordinances. Remind them to:
Frequently wash their hands
Wear a facemask
Practice social distancing
Avoid contact with those who may have the virus
Reminding them of these precautions should keep them healthy this summer to return safely to school in the fall.
Be Transparent About How Often You Want Communication
Teens seem to always be on their phones, but they tend to forget to reply to a text or call back their parents! Ensure you’re clear with how often you want them to check in with you when they’re out and about. It’s important that they know you’re one call away in case of any dangers.
Remind them to charge their phones often. Additionally, if you need an update on location changes, clearly explain that each time they leave a place and arrive at another location, you expect them to contact you.
Discuss Driving Safety & the Rules of the Road
For most teens, driving equals freedom. As your teen turns their designated driving age, they will want to be on the road as much as possible once summer hits. Whether it’s a day trip to the beach or a shopping trip with their best friend, they need to know that driving safely is crucial.
Discuss good driving habits such as wearing a seatbelt, putting the phone away and not eating in the vehicle. Any distractions, especially when teens first start driving, could be extremely dangerous.
Explain the Dangers of Substances
Although your teen has probably heard multiple times about the dangers of substance abuse, it never hurts to re-explain that to them. Teach them that peer pressure is a powerful thing and that it is 100% okay to say no. If they are in a situation where they’re pressured to use a vape, smoke, participate in drug use or drink, let them know that you are available to help.
Also, explain the long-term effects of those who delve into substances. Even though they may think it’s just one time, that one time can lead them down a road they don’t want to be on.
Get to Know the People Your Teen Spends Time With
One of the best ways to know if your teen will be safe when they are with friends is to get to know their friends. Have your teen invite their friends to your house for a few get-togethers. Additionally, you can ask your teen about their friends.
As your teen is spending time with their friends, observe them. This will allow you to better judge whether or not those people are good influences on your teenager.
Talk about Sex
It’s a tough conversation, but someone has to do it, and it’s probably best if it comes from a parent than any other source where information could be invalid. It’s a crucial conversation for all parents to have with their teenagers because many consequences can come from one sexual encounter.
Be open and honest with them. Allow them to ask you any questions they have. If they have been sexually active with someone, teach them about birth control and protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Encourage a Healthy Diet & Hydration
In the summer, although kids are pretty active, there may be times you go on vacations and splurge on sugary treats and drinks for your teens. Although it’s okay to indulge every once in a while, ensure your teens still maintain proper eating habits to keep them energized and fueled for the day.
You should also ensure that your teen is drinking water. Water is the best drink for hydration purposes. People are more likely to become dehydrated during the summer months because of excessive heat and activity. Remind them to drink water throughout the day!
Create a Safe & Fun Summer Plan with Your Teen
Ultimately, you want your teenager to have fun during the summer. Soon, they’ll be off to college or heading into the workforce, so summer is their chance to live it up! Before summer break begins, have these conversations with them to create a safety plan for their summer.
Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.
You know that September marks back to school and breaking out your sweaters, but did you know it’s also Baby Safety Month? Baby Safety Month helps raise visibility around common safety concerns for babies and toddlers by providing safety tips and resources for parents.
Walmart is a Baby Safety Month Ambassador and is offering some incredible savings in stores and online-only savings on safe baby products for travel, sleep, baby proofing and more! We talked to real moms to hear their favorite tips for baby safety month. Read more to see the tips they shared for Baby Safety Month:
Chicago-based mom Cara Fries is a first-time mom to a four month old. For Baby Safety Month, she reminded her followers to place babies on their backs for naps and nighttime sleep!
With a preschooler and an almost-one-year-old girl, playtime is very important in Brianna Traynor’s home! One way to ensure safe playtime: get down on your hands and knees to look for hazards, so you can spot any concerns from the same level as your little one!
Mom of five Preethi Harbuck knows a thing or two about travel, considering her family lives in an RV while traveling the world! Preethi shared the importance of finding the correct car seat for your child’s age, height and weight—no matter what type of vehicle you’re driving.
While Halloween will look different this year, many still plan on taking part in the holiday. Mars Wrigley is launching the first-ever digital trick-or-treating app, Treat Town on Oct. 1. Treat Town will offer an immersive experience encouraging celebration and connection, allowing users to collect “candy credits” that can be redeemed for real candy while trick-or-treating in digital neighborhoods near or far.
The virtual Halloween portal will offer Halloween fans of all ages the ability to create personalized spooky avatars, customized Halloween decorations for your in-app door and most importantly, the ability to “knock”on the doors of friends and family across the country. Mars Wrigley Treat Town offers people the chance to still experience Mars Wrigley’s beloved portfolios of brands such as M&M’S, Snickers, Twix and Skittles this season. Participants will earn candy credits in the app which can be redeemed for real Mars Wrigley products through national retail partners, online and in-store.
For those trick-or-treating in-person: Mars Wrigley has partnered with the National Safety Council to help create tips and guidance for a mindful Halloween experience for all during the pandemic. See below for tips for communities, parents and caretakers to keep in mind before, during and after trick-or-treating, as well as safety pointers for those staying behind to pass out candy at home.
2020 Halloween Safety Tips:
Before:
Buy wrapped candy to hand out to trick or treaters. Fun-Size packs are the easiest form of candy for trick-or-treaters to grab and go. Consider creating fun individual candy goody bags to give out on Halloween – a fun activity to complete with the entire family.
Make sure your yard is well-lit; replace any burnt-out light bulbs.
Create signs encouraging trick-or-treaters to stay 6 feet apart and display them in your yard.
Don’t hand out treats if you’re not feeling well.
Consider socially distanced options such as “trunk or treating,” during which prepackaged goodies are handed out, or a virtual costume parade.
During:
Carry a trick-or-treating care pack with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks. Use the sanitizer after picking a piece of candy, and help little ones clean their hands throughout the night.
Maintain a distance of 6 feet from other groups of trick-or-treaters, allowing one group to collect candy at a time.
Wear face masks and reflective tape or clothing and carry flashlights or glow sticks if you’re walking in the dark.
Do “mask checks”: Stop in a safe place and make sure young children’s masks are covering their mouths and noses.
Use sidewalks and crosswalks; don’t cross the street between cars and be as visible as possible as drivers are often distracted.
Respect the latest guidelines – such as trick-or-treating hours – provided by your local health and safety officials.
If you’d prefer to stay indoors but still want to offer treats for your neighbors, consider setting up a grab-and-go “candy corner” for visitors, inclusive of hand sanitizer and treats. Setting up an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process for sanitizing and collecting candy is quick and efficient.
After:
Wash your hands when you get home.
Let the candy sit for 24 hours or sanitize the wrappers before eating.
Throw out any candy that is open, ripped or has torn packaging, an unusual appearance, or pinholes. Discard any homemade items made by people you don’t know. Follow the rule: When in doubt, throw it out.
If you have a young child, make sure candy they collected isn’t a choking hazard. If it is, discard it.
Keep candy away from pets, especially chocolate and sugar-free gum, which can be poisonous for your furry friends.
Staying home to hand out treats?
Move out of the way any items that children could trip over and keep pets inside.
Stand outside when handing out treats, wear a mask and use hand sanitizer often. Consider keeping a large bottle near you for visitors to use as well.
Allow one small group at a time at your door.
Find fun, hands-free ways to give candy to trick-or-treaters to minimize the number of hands reaching into a bowl. You can place candy on your lawn or driveway – maybe in the shape of a pumpkin – so trick-or-treaters don’t have to crowd around your front door, touch handrails or knock.
September marks the start of a new school year, leaves changing, pumpkin spice everything (whether you like it or not), and Baby Safety Month! The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), a.k.a., the people who make sure your kid’s products are safe, sponsor this event every September. Baby Safety Month helps raise visibility around common safety concerns for babies and toddlers and provides safety tips and resources for parents.
Walmart is a Baby Safety Month Ambassador and is offering some incredible savings in stores and online-only savings on safe baby products for travel, sleep, baby proofing and more, for a limited time. Read on for 10 of our favorite products with big savings for the month of September at Walmart!
Sleep
Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor
Let's face it: new parents worry about everything. We get it! The Owlet Smart Sock monitor takes a load off, tracking your baby's heart rate and oxygen level while they sleep. You'll all rest better, knowing Owlet will notify you with lights and sounds if anything is out of the ordinary—it even tracks baby's sleep and uses the data to help create a bedtime routine as they grow. Way more than just a soft little sock, Owlet is the ally you need, moms and dads!
This crib is a multi-functional, transforming game changer! Kali will grow with your child, from infant to toddler, into a full-size bed. Its compact design is great for smaller spaces, and the baby station is attached, making those late-night changes so much easier. They didn't stop there—the changing station converts to a nightstand or dresser once your toddler is ready for their big kid bed!
If you have a kid, you've heard of PAW Patrol! We can't leave the toddlers out of Baby Safety Month, so here is something exciting just for them. Transitioning from a crib to a bed is just so much more fun when they know the pups have their back! This set includes the sleep and play toddler bed, table and two storage ottoman seats and multi-bin toy organizer. Recommended for ages 15 months and up, the bed is designed to sit low for safety and is JPMA certified.
Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go Playard with Bassinet
Play yards have been a baby staple for years. This one goes above and beyond, with a reach-through bassinet that folds for easy travel. It's also 20% more compact than average play yards, features a toy bar and Signature Graco push-button fold, making closing it up after sleep or play a snap!
We love a good twofer: the removable baby swing seat doubles as a rocker! Your baby is sure to be soothed with three different seating positions, allowing them to sway side to side or swing front to back. There's even a vibration feature, six different speeds, 10 songs and 5 nature sounds—you can't go wrong with this one!
Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate and Play Yard
One day you wake up and suddenly you've got a walker on your hands! Kick your child-proofing game in to high gear with this super gate that can be shaped into any number of configurations—you can even use it as a play yard! It has a one-touch safety lock release that you'll be able to easily use (but your kid won't!) and a convenient walk-through design. Use it as a fireplace barrier, stair blocker or general kid-wrangler. The possibilities are endless for this must-have!
This well-designed high chair is at the perfect level, so you can actually share a meal with your baby at your table! It's fully wipeable and washable, which is great because things tend to get messy at mealtime. The TableFit chair folds easily for storage and is adjustable to grow with them from infant on up—it's the only one you'll need!
Baby-carrying comfort and safety for parent and baby are so important. Infantino thought of everything, from a supportive waist belt to breathable fabric! This carrier makes travel a no-brainer, with six organizer pockets that can expand to fit diapers, wipes and outfits. The design allows you to carry four ways: facing-in (reduced width seat for infants), facing-in (expanded seat), facing out and backpack.
Got two? Now what do you do! We love this stroller for toting two kiddos. There are two seats and one converts to a stand platform for wiggly toddlers—brilliant! One-hand folding makes it easy on the go and organization a breeze with cup holders, parent tray and covered storage. This stroller also features 5-point harnesses and foot-activated rear locks so you're all safe and sound.
Safety 1st Grow and Go Sprint 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
You could call it the "piece de resistance" of childhood safety: the car seat. Safety 1st has it covered as the first leader in child safety. This seat is built to grow, as a 3-in-1 for use through three stages, from rear-facing newborn up to 40 pounds, to forward-facing and booster. Their Quickfit harness, easy in and out, fuss-free cleaning and top-notch safety make this car seat the total package.
Do you want the luxury of a private pool without installing one in your backyard? Swimply, the only online pool sharing marketplace, offers families a chance to get out of the house and into the water. This app allows people to rent swimming pools by the hour and owners can choose to include other amenities like the use of a grill or fire pit
The Swimply website and app, available on iOS and Android devices, provided non-contact entry to private pools. Use Swimply for entertainment, exercise or even a spot for swim lessons.
Non-pool owners can read about available pools, see reviews, and book directly through Swimply.com and on the app. Owners are able to list their pool onto the website and include customized information on availability, rules and prices with a guarantee of an effortless transaction within 24 hours of the reservation.
Each pool is inspected for safety prior to listings and owners can utilize in-app purchases like pool cleanings and maintenance before and after usage. For assistance with booking and listing, the Swimply support team ensures that the entire process of listing, reserving, and payment is as smooth as possible for all involved.
Pools are available for booking in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The average pool costs $45 per hour and is based on pool area size, amenities, timing and demand.
Pools can be booked and listed on www.swimply.com or on IOS and Android app.
Never leave your child unattended around water. Check out these water safety tips.
Long, lazy summer days spent outside are the best. But babies’ tiny bodies and sensitive skin need careful consideration. Here are the top sun-safety rules to live by this summer, to keep your baby comfortable, covered up and well hydrated.
1. Baby sunglasses! Not only are baby sunglasses all kinds of adorable, they provide important protection against the sun’s harsh rays. If your little one likes to fling them off, try sunglasses with a band or strap to keep them on securely. We love Weefarers sunglasses (above), which come with a removable strap and carrying pouch in two sizes (age 0-2 and 2-4) and polarized or not. All styles provide 100% UVA and 100% UVB protection.
2. Choose sun-protective swimwear. The key to keeping your baby safe in the sun is sun-protective clothing. Look for swimwear that has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 30 or higher for the best protection. One-piece, full-coverage suits and rash guards cover more skin, which means less time struggling with applying sunscreen to a wriggly baby.
3. Dress in light layers. Look for breathable fabrics, like cotton, which soaks up sweat and can help keep baby cool. And dress kids in layers, covering as much of their skin as is comfortable. You can remove any excess clothing when you’re in the shade.
photo: iStock
4. Apply, and reapply, sunscreen. Check out our favorite sunscreen for babies, and reapply after contact with water, or approximately every two hours if you’ll be outside longer than that. Pro tip: Set your phone’s alarm to remind you when it’s time for more sunscreen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants 6 months and younger shouldn’t wear sunscreen, so keep the little ones in the shade and in sun-protective clothing instead.
5. Pop on a wide-brimmed bucket hat, preferably with a chin strap. Baby hats are important for all kids, especially little baldies. The wider the brim, the better. Also, look for a hat that’s made of a lightweight material that will dry quickly and offers UV protection. A chin strap is extra helpful to hold hats in place, but avoid the ones with a one-piece strap, due to safety concerns over it being a strangulation hazard. Instead, get one with a two-piece strap that attaches in the center with a clip or velcro.
6. Limit time in the sun during the hottest part of the day. The sun’s rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And since that’s pretty much most of the day, it can be hard to stay indoors the entire time. But if you can squeeze in a nap or some shade during this time frame, it helps to keep your little ones out of the sun at the time when it can be most dangerous.
7. Expand your shade options. A big sunshade on your stroller or a shady spot under an umbrella or tree can keep babies comfortable. But to protect the whole family, we love ShelterLogic’s pop-up canopies. They provide shade for 6-7 people, with ample room for playing.
8. Consider a pop-up play yard. These little tents are great for the beach, park picnics, backyard fun and camping. They do the double duty of keeping your baby out of the sun and also providing a cool place for a nap, nursing or a quick diaper change. We love the Veer Basecamp (above) for its ease of use and UPF50 protection. Here are more of our favorite play yards.
9. Keep them hydrated. Keep your babes topped up with breastmilk, formula or water (if they’re old enough) to avoid dehydration. Fresh fruit makes a hydrating snack.
10. Keep your summer bag packed. Stay ready for adventure by choosing a summer bag and keeping it mostly packed, with a change of clothes, sun hat, sunscreen and packaged snacks so you just have to add a few items to get you on your way.
If you’re spending time in the car this summer, arm yourself with water, snacks and some very good advice. Read on for our top 10 tips on keeping babies and toddlers safe in the car on warm summer days.
photo: iStock
1. Get your car seat inspected.
More than half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And since people tend to spend more time in the car during the summer, it’s a good time to find the nearest car seat inspection station, usually at a local police or fire department. The experts there will inspect your car seat and show you how to install it properly, usually at no charge.
2. Cool the car down quickly.
A hot car is uncomfortable for everybody, especially kids. If you’re getting into a scorching car, crank up the air conditioning and open the windows first to push out that hot air. After a few minutes, when the car is cooler, get in and roll up the car windows and let the AC keep working its magic. Also, when placing your child in the car seat, watch those metal buckles, which can get blazing hot on warm days. When your car is parked outside, keep the metal parts out of direct sunlight, tucking them into the car seat straps or placing a towel or light blanket on top of the metal when your child is out of the car seat.
3. Inspect your tires.
How are tires like babies? They’re both prone to blowouts, and tires are more likely to have them during the summer months. Blame the combination of hot weather, longer drives and cars packed full of road-trip gear. Regularly check your tire pressure and the condition of your tires to stay safe.
4. Pack extra liquids.
On hot days, kids need lots of liquids to stay hydrated. Keep bottles of breast milk or formula in coolers with ice packs. And if your baby is drinking water, always pack more than you think you’ll need. Breastfeeding moms need lots of water too!
5. Keep cars locked with car keys out of kids’ reach.
Babies love playing in cars and fiddling with car keys, especially hitting the lock button to hear the beep it makes. To avoid having them lock themselves inside the car when you’re outside of it, or climbing into the car when you’re not there to supervise, always keep cars locked, even in the garage, and store keys out of reach from tiny hands. This is important year-round but especially so on hot days when temperatures inside the car can get dangerously high.
6. Don’t cover the car seat with a blanket.
A blanket may help your child fall asleep in the car seat, but even a thin muslin covering can make the temperature under that blanket way too hot. You also want to be able to see your child while you’re driving, which brings us to our next tip….
7. Install a backseat mirror.
Set up a mirror that allows you to see your child’s face from the driver’s seat when they’re in a rear-facing car seat. That allows you to keep an eye on them to make sure they’re comfortable and not overheating.
8. Adjust your car seat straps.
If you dressed your baby in bulky clothing on cooler days, the car seat straps may be too loose once your child is in light summer outfits. Straps should be tight enough that you can only fit one finger underneath them, and the buckle should sit across the armpit. Adjust the straps each time you place your child in the seat to make sure they fit comfortably.
9. Never leave your child alone in the car. For real.
Even if you only have a quick errand, even if your baby has finally fallen asleep, even if you crack the window open for air flow, you should never leave your child unattended in a car. A child’s body temperature heats up more quickly than an adult’s, and even a few minutes alone in a hot car can be life-threatening.
10. Check the back seat.
Forgetting a child in a car seat is many parents’ worst fear. To avoid it, leave your shoes, wallet or smartphone in the back seat so you have to go back there to retrieve them before you leave the car. Or, let technology help. The CoPilot Carseat Alert System uses a sensor that clips on to your car seat and a key fob to alert you if you walk away from the car without unbuckling your child first. The eClip ($49.95) from Elepho is a small device that attaches to your car seat and syncs up to an app that reminds you to get your child if you move more than 15 feet away from the car. And if you use the Waze app for driving directions, turn on the Child Reminder feature, which instructs you to check for your child as the last step in the directions.
Ghosts and ghouls aren’t the only thing you should be worried about on Halloween. Besides the concern over cavities and staying up a little too late on a school night, there are some other important safety precautions to keep in mind when preparing for Halloween.
Check out these important Halloween safety tips.
Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
iStock
Trick-or-treating is always the highlight of Halloween for kids but there are some simple steps you can take to stay safe. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and other experts suggest the following:
1. Walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. Obey all traffic signals and stay in crosswalks when crossing the street.
2. Wear bright-colored costumes to make it easier for children to be seen at dusk or in the dark. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags to provide additional visibility.
3. Ensure costumes are flame-resistant and fit properly. The child's vision should not be obstructed by masks, face paint or hats. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, so trim or hem them as necessary.
4. Wear sturdy, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes to avoid falls.
Relay
5. Know where your kids are. If your kids are old enough to trick-or-treat on their own, be sure to agree on a plan of where they're heading.
6. Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well-lit. It's not just about the spookiness factor—it's about avoiding slips, falls or other injuries, especially when navigating around in a costume.
7. Carry flashlights to see and be seen. Do not point your flashlight above the chest level to avoid blocking the vision of other trick-or-treaters.
8. Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating and remember that pets can be a threat when you approach their homes.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 16,706 patients were treated for Halloween-related injuries last year. Over 3,000 patients were treated for pumpkin carving accidents alone. To have a fun—but safe—Halloween experience, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has some advice.
"Pumpkin carving is a fun activity, but it can result in serious cuts on the hand and injuries to bones and tendons," said AAOS spokesperson and pediatric orthopaedic surgeon L. Reid Boyce Nichols, MD. "Consider having children decorate pre-carved pumpkins with stickers and paint to avoid using sharp objects. This will allow children to join in the fun while eliminating the use of sharp objects and their risk of injury,” Nichols continues.
To stay safe while decorating pumpkins the AAOS suggests these tips:
1. Use a pumpkin carving kit or knives specifically designed for carving. These are less likely to get stuck in thick pumpkin skin. Some Halloween carving devices, designed especially for older children, may be safe for use with parental supervision.
2. Carve pumpkins in a clean, dry and well-lit area. Also make sure there is no moisture on the carving tools or your hands.
3. If you do get cut, apply pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the injured area above the heart. If bleeding does not stop within 10-15 minutes or if the cut is deep, you may need to contact your doctor. Make sure cuts are cleaned and covered with clean bandages.
4. Avoid candles in Halloween pumpkins and other decorations. Instead, use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights.
For kids, Halloween is nothing but fun. They get to dress up, go trick-or-treating and receive stashes of free candy from strangers. What’s not to love?
For parents, it’s a different story. Halloween can be a night of full-fledged anxiety. Between the fear of poisoned candy and dangerous strangers, there’s a number of reasons to be worried about letting your little ladybug or Buzz Lightyear roam the neighborhood freely at night.
Luckily, there are ways to keep your kiddos safe this Halloween without taking any of the fun away. For starters, it always helps to go with them and watch them as they knock on every door. It also helps to establish trick-or-treating ground rules beforehand, so your children know not to run away from you or go inside any houses or cars.
Here are six ways you can ramp up your trick-or-treating safety this Halloween—for you, your kids and everyone else too.
1. Stick to a Pre-Planned Path. Walk the route you’re going to trick-or-treat this year with your kids prior to All Hallow’s Eve. Pick a well-lit path that’s familiar to your little ones. That way, if anyone gets separated they’ll have a sense of how to get home. If you can, avoid busy roads or areas where children have to walk near moving traffic.
If you have big kids that are ready to trick-or-treat on their own, establish a safe route for them in advance. There’s also truth to safety in numbers: the bigger the group your kid goes with, the safer they’ll be.
2. Have Your Kiddos Wear Glow Sticks. When you go to pick up a 5 lb. bag of candy to hand out, grab a few glow sticks too. No matter how unique your kid’s costume is this Halloween, there could be a million other neighborhood children sporting the same look. Keep track of your kid easily by having them wear a glow stick around their ankle, wrist or neck. This will be especially important when they’re crossing the street: Halloween is a deadly day for child pedestrian-related accidents, so make sure you can easily spot your kids from afar or when they’re in a crowd. Plus, parents and kids alike can agree that wearing a few glow sticks beats carrying around heavy flashlights any day.
3. Inspect Your Kid’s Candy. Rule #1 when it comes to candy: feed your kids a healthy Halloween dinner before they hit the streets. That way, they won’t be tempted to eat all their candy before they get home. Your kids shouldn’t devour all their candy at once or they could get sick. If your kids want to munch on candy as they trick-or-treat, take some candy from your own house or let them eat only candy that’s been commercially packaged.
And before your kid dives in, unwrap every single piece of candy that hasn’t been commercially wrapped (think rolled candies or taffies). If a bag of Skittles has a hole in it, toss it. If candy that has been commercially wrapped is still air-tight (like KIT KAT or a bag of M&Ms), they’re safe to eat.
Here’s what to look for when inspecting your children’s Halloween candy:
Expiration dates
Abnormal bumps or lumps
Holes
Pieces of glass, metal, or razors
Handmade candy
Hand-wrapped candy
Baked goods
Caramel apples
Loose candy
Sifting through your child’s candy also helps you watch for any allergies your child may have. If your kid is severely allergic to peanuts, toss each Reese’s, Snickers or Payday you see before they get to it.
4. Avoid Candles. Candles can be dangerous around Halloween decorations, and webbing and flammable costumes. When candles are placed inside pumpkins on front steps or walkways, children’s costumes can catch on fire—especially if they’re running excitedly past it. Instead of a real flame, use candles with powered batteries. They look just as cool, and they’re a whole lot safer. It’s also smart to check the flammability of your kid’s costume. Cotton, rayon and nylon are particularly flammable, so be on the lookout if your child has a nylon Superman Cape or cotton Princess dress.
5. Use Lots of Light. Don’t be the dark, scary house children dare each other to walk up to. Fog machines and spooky lighting make for a chilling stop on trick-or-treaters’ path, but it can also be dangerous to walk on. For instance, If you have cobblestone, steps or missing pieces from your pathway, dark lighting makes it difficult for kids to see—even if they’re walking slowly and carefully. If kids are wearing floor-length costumes or shoes that are difficult to walk in, poor lighting can make them especially prone to tripping.
Use lots of external lights to illuminate your pathway. You can position them in a way that doesn’t ruin your decorations. If trick-or-treaters come less frequently, opt for motion sensor lights instead. Don’t waste money by having the light on when no one’s around. All things aside, a well-lit house lets trick-or-treaters know that you’re game to hand out candy anyway.
6. Do a Trunk-or-Treat. If your neighborhood is too dangerous for trick-or-treating, consider a trunk-or-treat! It’s safer, you can keep an eye on your kids, and depending on how big it is, you can let your kiddos roam free. If there isn’t a trunk-or-treat at your child’s school, you can search for trunk-or-treats in your area, on Facebook groups, or by asking around. Trunk-or-treats can be just as exciting—especially if your trunk is well-themed and decorated with love. Get candy and decorations as you would for your home, and then, as a bonus, match your costume to the theme of your trunk. Is your trunk Harry Potter themed? Rock the witch look or a Hogwarts student get-up. If it’s a spookier theme, go the scary route.
Elaine is a digital journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including Women's Health Magazine, POPSUGAR, VentureBeat, and Austin Fit Magazine. Her writing focuses on how to use technology to stay safe and live sustainably.
