Trick or Treat safety Quiz

Halloween has been a tradition for thousands of years. Your little goblins may think it is all about fun and free candy, but All Hallows Eve is a time to remember the dead in many countries. Celtic harvest festivals also influence some of our modern Halloween traditions. For example, people started dressing up on Halloween to scare ghosts away from their farms and crops.

This holiday has become more community based and family-friendly through the years, but some healthy Halloween tips may still be a mystery to you. Take our not-so-scary quiz to test your knowledge and know-how of this “sweet treat” of a holiday.

QUESTION 1:

Your little superheroes are ready for a full night of tricks and treats. What should Batman and Wonder Woman always remember to carry on Halloween?

a.) A 10-foot long cape.

b.) A flashlight.

c.) Plastic swords.

ANSWER:

b.) A flashlight. The sun sets earlier this time of year, so making sure trick-or-treaters can find their way and that others can see them is essential. Carry a flashlight and add reflective tape to a costume to help trick-or-treaters see, and be seen, as they load up on candy. Also, leave the sharp accessories at home. Plastic swords, crowns, and Wolverine claws can be more dangerous than you think. And make sure Superman doesn’t trip over his cape. Costumes and masks should fit properly to prevent trips and slips.

QUESTION 2:

What part of the evening news is the most important part of Halloween night?

a.) The weather forecast.

b.) The traffic report.

c.) Scores for the big game.

ANSWER:

a.) The weather forecast. Check the forecast, especially the temperature, before heading out. Temperatures can drop quickly on a clear autumn evening. Make sure Anna and Elsa aren’t actually “Frozen,” see if they need an extra pair of sweat pants to stay warm, and layer up!

QUESTION 3:

Little Johnny wants to hit the streets alone this year. Should he?

a.) Sure! He’s mature for his age.

b.) As long as he’s with his fellow 5th grader, he’ll be fine.

c.) No. The tricks and treats aren’t complete without an adult in the group.

ANSWER:

c.) No. The tricks and treats aren’t complete without an adult in the group.

Trick-or-treating in groups is fun, and the smart thing to do. Find a buddy for your child and encourage them to trick-or-treat together! But there should always be a responsible adult in the group. Stick to houses you know, and only go there if the porch light is turned on.

QUESTION 4:

Uh-oh. It looks like Cinderella is coming down with a cold or something worse! Should she still be part of the festivities?

a.) Yes! This night only comes once a year.

b.) Send her, but keep her home from school tomorrow.

c.) Cinderella becomes Sleeping Beauty, and sits the night out to rest.

ANSWER:

c.) Cinderella becomes Sleeping Beauty, sits the night out to rest. Bummer, right? But it is the smart thing to do. Keeping your child home will help prevent the spread of illness and will get your little princess back on her feet a little faster. Remember, it’s not too early to get the flu. It’s true! The flu starts making its rounds long before the snow falls.

QUESTION 5:

The night is done, and the bounty is large. What next?

a.) Wash up and pick a few favorite bites of candy.

b.) Dive in, and see how much candy you can eat in one night!

c.) Divide and conquer. Eat one piece of every type of candy in the bag!

ANSWER:

a.) Wash up and pick a few favorite bites of candy. All those doorbells and doorknobs are teeming with germs, so wash up before those fingers touch the candy. An adult should also inspect the candy for signs of tampering before the first bite is taken and it is usually a good idea to discard items that are not wrapped in a sealed package. A bellyache is a bad way to end a fun night so save some of that hard-earned candy for later. (Hopefully, your little costumed crusader will share the wealth with mom and dad.) And, make sure the kids brush their teeth before heading to bed to keep those pearly whites sparkling and free of cavities.

FREE CANDY X-RAYS AT PATIENT FIRST

Patient First offers free x-rays of Halloween candy at all centers. This quick look inside of your sweet treats may help detect some things that don’t belong, like metal and plastic. It’s one more way to help parents monitor their kids’ treats. The free x-rays are offered from 6pm to 9pm from October 29th through October 31st. Parents should always inspect their children’s candy whether or not x-rays are done. There can be contaminants that don’t show on x-rays.