Tips for a happy and healthy trick-or-treating

Tips for happy and healthy trick-or-treating 

October and Halloween bring magical adventures for your little princesses and superheroes. To help your family enjoy a happy and healthy celebration, the team at Dell Children’s has gathered tips for staying safe and conquering the candy haul.

Tips for staying safe on Halloween

A few simple steps for safer trick or treating can make a big difference in preventing illness and injury:

• Choose costumes that are bright or light in color, and flame resistant.

• Use flashlights and safety reflectors when walking at night.

• Use latex-free face paint instead of masks that might block your child’s vision.

• Avoid costumes with knives, swords and oversized shoes. 

• Make sure your child crosses streets at a corner and never between parked cars.

• Clear porches, driveways, lawns and sidewalks of potential tripping hazards.

• Avoid giving out gum, hard candies and small toys to reduce choking hazards.

• Paint pumpkins instead of carving pumpkins. Hand injuries increase 25% around the holiday.

• Halloween can be overwhelming for pets, making them anxious and unpredictable. Tell children to look but not touch — keeping everyone safe and happy Halloween night.

Tips to limit the sweets

After trick-or-treating, get ahead of the game with a smart candy strategy to help avoid sugar meltdowns. Here are a few tips from our pediatric specialists:

• Eat a good meal before trick or treating. 

• Label containers for each day of the week. Allow children to divide candy into containers with the understanding that once the container is empty, they need to wait until the next day for more.

• Help kids decorate bags or containers with markers and stickers. Fill bags or containers with Halloween candy to share with neighbors, friends or local fire stations.

• Allow sweets after having a healthy snack or meal first. 

We wish you and your family a safe, fun and memorable October.

Stay happy and healthy all-year round. To find care for your child when you need it, visit dellchildrens.org.