Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Safety first this Halloween
“It’s Halloween! It is finally here,” said my four-year-old daughter who has been waiting since the beginning of summer. She even kept a “countdown” calendar in anticipation of Oct. 31, which has evolved into one of the more popular holidays for both children and adults.
Halloween can be a fun time for all, with parties galore, costumes, spookily decorated homes and the treats. It’s one last dose of excitement before winter ushers in.
Amidst this excitement, be sure to exercise caution. The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released the following safety tips:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with a flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast. In New England, the temperatures can be anywhere from the 70s to the 20s on Halloween night.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything people could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Choose neighborhoods that you are familiar with.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never enter a stranger's home or car.
• Only cross the street as a group in established areas.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters.
Many of these tips are common sense, but every year we hear of mishaps that could have been prevented if these guidelines were followed. Have a happy –- and safe -- Halloween.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
Halloween can be a fun time for all, with parties galore, costumes, spookily decorated homes and the treats. It’s one last dose of excitement before winter ushers in.
Amidst this excitement, be sure to exercise caution. The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released the following safety tips:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with a flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast. In New England, the temperatures can be anywhere from the 70s to the 20s on Halloween night.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything people could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Choose neighborhoods that you are familiar with.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never enter a stranger's home or car.
• Only cross the street as a group in established areas.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters.
Many of these tips are common sense, but every year we hear of mishaps that could have been prevented if these guidelines were followed. Have a happy –- and safe -- Halloween.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 10:32 AM 
