October 23, 2006
Most people may not think of Halloween as a time to focus on nutrition and physical activity. On the other hand, each year there are constant reminders to think about safety. The above site provides tips for a safer and healthier Halloween in the form of an acrostic for "Safe Halloween." This includes general information for all those celebrating. Some of these tips seasoned trick-or-treaters will likely have heard before, such as: "Avoid trick-or-treating
alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. ... Examine all treats
before eating them for choking hazards Other tips listed here (below) are not as well publicized each year, so they should serve as beneficial reminders for teens and adults who may have forgotten about some of these hidden health hazards. For example: "Always test make-up
in a small area first and remove it before bedtime to prevent skin
and eye irritation. ... Lessen your risk for serious eye injury
by not wearing decorative contact lenses. Only walk on sidewalks
or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe." For those out walking, Halloween can be a dangerous night. For those in cars, it is not much safer. "* Americans who drink
and drive after parties and festivities make Halloween one of the
year's most dangerous holidays due to alcohol-related crashes. For those attending Halloween parties where drinking will take place, there needs to be a designated driver. For those driving home, it is important to be even more careful and alert than on a "typical" night. Halloween street safety: There will be more drunk drivers on the road than on a "typical" Tuesday night. More children will be out walking (and running) across the streets than on a "typical" night. Some who are out will be wearing masks and eye coverings that can impair vision and make it harder to see the cars and people with which they are sharing the road. For some trick-or-treaters and party-goers, what they find in their treat bags is potentially more dangerous than what they encounter on the roads... "For some children,
just one bite of candy containing even trace amounts of an allergen
like milk, peanuts, or wheat can trigger a life-threatening anaphylactic
episode ˆ an immediate reaction causing airway swelling, falling
blood pressure, and sometimes death. Halloween masks and costumes
may contain hidden sources of latex, a substance that can be deadly
for children who are allergic to it. ... Food-allergic teenagers
who normally monitor what they eat may be overwhelmed by temptation
on Halloween. Before they go trick-or-treating or to a costume party,
remind them that one bite of the wrong food could be fatal." For those without food allergies, it may be difficult to understand the seriousness of the matter. * Even if your children
[or you and your friends] don't have food allergies, other kids
in the neighborhood might. Pass out candy that clearly lists ingredients.
Be creative -- hand out gift certificates or small toys instead." Small gifts and/ or toys are not just good alternatives for those with allergies, but those with other health issues, as well. Those with either Type I or Type II diabetes will need to be careful with all of the sugary sweets this time of year. While the following information is written for the parents of those with diabetes, older siblings (and babysitters) who care for kids with diabetes will find useful information here, as well. Teens and young adults with diabetes can look at it as a lesson in perspective as they see information from a parent's point of view that could help them have a safer and healthier Halloween. "There's no reason
that having diabetes should interfere with having Halloween fun.
Here are a few tips for a safe and happy Halloween for both you
and your child. Whether you are a teenager looking for a fun night, a parent watching out for your children, an older sibling trying to have a safe and fun night with your brothers or sisters, or a kid just out to get candy, there are basic guidelines that can keep Halloween safer and healthier for everyone. "Eat a Healthy Meal
or Snack Before: It's important for children to eat a healthy meal
or snack before trick-or-treating so that they‚re not collecting
all that candy on an empty stomach. ... Be Safe and Inspect the
Goodies: When children get home, go through the goodies and make
sure your children only save the ones that are unopened. Be sure
to also inspect their bag for anything suspicious. Teach the Value
of Moderation: A big part of Halloween fun is going out to trick-or-treat
and collecting candy. Rather than restricting children from enjoying
Halloween goodies, use this occasion and other holidays as a way
of teaching children the value of eating in moderation. Have your
children choose their favorite goodies and 'save some for later.'" The bottom line: Plan ahead, pay attention, be careful, and think in terms of moderation. Questions of the Week:
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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