Halloween Safety Tips for Kids from the Tri-City Regional Medical Center

Submitted by the Tri-City Regional Medical Center

Candy and costumes make Halloween an exciting time of year for people of all ages, but Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for children. Tri-City Regional Medical Center shares several tips for keeping your kids safe this Halloween.

More than 41 million children between the ages of five and 14 go trick or-treating in the United States every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Stay healthy this Halloween by checking for tampered wrappers in candy before children eat it, and do not accept homemade or opened candy from strangers. Try to ration the candy children receive, and provide them with a full meal before trick-or-treating to discourage filling up on candy.

“Parents have to be careful these days,” said Dr. Manuel Sarcapano, ER
physician at Tri-City Regional Medical Center in Hawaiian Gardens. “Pedestrian injuries are common during Halloween when children are wearing dark costumes or not crossing at designated crosswalks; stay in groups and always give motorists the right of way.”

An adult should always accompany young children during trick-or-treating and Halloween festivities. Older children who may trick-or-treat alone should follow a planned route and carry a cell phone for emergencies. Remember to only visit homes with a porch light on, and remind children never to enter a home or vehicle for candy.

When considering a costume, plan something colorful or reflective to prevent fading into the dark. Make sure shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent a tripping hazard. Instead of decorative masks, consider non-toxic makeup or hats and other accessories that will not interfere with eyesight.

  Tri-City Regional Medical Center wishes you a safe and happy Halloween. For more information about Tri-City Regional Medical Center, visit www.tcrmc.org.