Tricks to Make Halloween Treats Safer for Our Kids

Here are a few simple tricks to help your children enjoy their Halloween treats.

Halloween is an exciting time for kids. They look forward to wearing their costumes. They also anticipate the delicious Halloween treats they'll collect during their trick-or-treat activities.

However, as parents, it’s crucial to ensure our children remain safe during this holiday. In this article, we'll share some "tricks" to help you prioritize their safety.

Halloween Should Be Fun and Safe

For many, Halloween is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Unfortunately, the costumes, activities, and even the treats present some unique hazards. Help keep your kids safe by discussing the following tips before they begin their adventure.

Discourage Early Snacking on Halloween Treats

Children's excitement during trick-or-treating can lead them to snack from their goody bags. It's best to discourage this practice. Here are some things you can do:

Ensure your children don't go out on an empty stomach. Give them a light meal or snack before heading out.
Set clear rules: Specify they should only eat treats after returning home. Specifically, after a parent checks them.
Explain the potential risks of consuming uninspected treats.

Check Halloween Treats for Safety

Safety should always come first. This is especially true when it comes to the treats our children receive. Follow these guidelines:

Instruct children not to accept or consume anything not commercially wrapped and sealed.
Explain the potential consequences of eating treats that are not safe. Examples include getting sick or having an allergic reaction.
Examine commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering. Check for any unusual appearance, discoloration, odors, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.
Dispose of anything that looks suspicious or damaged.
Actively involve your children in the inspection. You can teach them how to do this. Then, let them check their candies and other treats under your supervision.

Be Vigilant About Food Allergies

If your child has food allergies, it's vital to take extra precautions to ensure their safety:

Check the labels on Halloween treats to ensure they don't contain anything that might trigger your child’s allergies.
Do not allow your children to consume homemade goods. This rule should apply unless you are familiar with the source and ingredients.

Watch Out for Choking Hazards

Parents of young children should check for and remove potential choking hazards from their goody bags. These items could include gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys that could pose choking risks.

Children of all ages are at increased risk of choking when food is consumed while actively playing or talking. As a matter of practice, encourage your child to sit when they eat or enjoy their treats.

Consider Trick-or-Treating Alternatives

Trick-or-treating is fun, but it isn’t the only way to enjoy Halloween! If you choose not to participate in costumes or trick-or-treating this year, your child can still have a fun holiday. Consider some of the following activities:

Slumber parties
Games
Candy trades
Supervised activities (Church, school, parent-sponsored)
Themed parties (such as scarecrow, harvest, or pizza parties)
Movie nights

Starting new and potentially more enjoyable traditions with young children is always fun. The options are plentiful and increasingly common. Above all, you can schedule these activities to enjoy at your convenience. Additional safety tips are available here.

Check your local newspaper and websites for area trick-or-treat nights. Look for other locally sponsored activities in area communities. The Moultrie County Health Department wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween.