Fall is officially here, and the crisp autumn air is a reminder that Halloween is right around the corner. Families are planning out costumes, filling candy buckets and counting down the days until it’s time to hit the neighborhood for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating. But before the spooky fun begins, Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care wants to make sure the only scares this Halloween come from haunted houses and silly costumes, not injuries or illness.
Here are eight easy ways to keep your family safe and healthy this Halloween, so everyone can enjoy the night to the fullest.
- Light the way. Halloween night gets dark quickly and, depending on the neighborhood where you’re trick-or-treating, visibility can be pretty low. Give your kids glow sticks, flashlights or light-up accessories they’ll love showing off. You can also add a strip of reflective tape to costumes or candy bags as an easy way to make kids more visible to drivers.
- Choose costumes wisely. Costumes should absolutely be fun, but make sure they’re still practical. Skip masks that block breathing or vision and avoid long, baggy outfits that can be a tripping hazard. Have them do a quick “costume test run” at home to show off their outfits for the big night and make sure they can walk, move and trick-or-treat comfortably.
- Make a plan. With all the excitement of costumes and the sugar rush from all the treats, Halloween can get hectic quickly. Before everyone heads out, be sure to talk through your game plan for the night. Decide where everyone will be, who they’ll be with and what time they should be home. For older kids going out with friends, you can plan to have quick check-ins over text every now and then. Most importantly, make sure they know what to do if something doesn’t feel right. A little planning goes a long way for peace of mind.
- Talk about safety. It’s not the most exciting conversation, but it’s an important one. Remind kids to stick with their group, use crosswalks and never go inside a stranger’s home. Encourage them to admire costumes from a distance if pets are involved, since even friendly dogs can get spooked amidst the Halloween chaos. And discuss what they should do if their evening gets disrupted or they need help. Some families like to use a code word that kids can text or use over the phone to discreetly tell their parents to come get them.
- Check the candy. Kids are always excited to dive right into their candy haul, but it’s a good idea to have an adult go through it before anything is eaten. Sorting through the candy is half the fun anyway! Spread it all out and toss any loose or opened candy that may have been tampered with. If you have little ones in the house, be sure to also set aside any choking hazards like hard candies. Make it a family ritual by going through the treats together, swapping favorites and sharing a few pieces before saving the rest.
- Keep allergies and sensitivities in mind. Food allergies or sensitivities can be hard for kids to navigate during Halloween. Have an empathetic discussion with them beforehand about which candy is appropriate for them and plan ahead for how to handle candy they shouldn’t eat; they could trade with a friend or sibling. If your child suffers from severe allergies, be sure to take an Epi-Pen with you, and keep an eye out for teal pumpkins: those homes are offering allergy-friendly treats. For kids with sensory sensitivities, skip the houses with strobe lights, fog machines or loud sound effects to keep the night fun, not overwhelming.
- Make your home welcoming. If you’re handing out candy, make it safe and easy for trick-or-treaters to stop by. Turn on your porch light, clear the walkway and add a little extra glow with festive lights or lanterns. For children in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges, consider handing out treats from your porch steps or driveway to make them more accessible. And don’t forget about your pets. The constant ringing of the doorbell and steady stream of strangers can be stressful for them. To keep everyone safe and calm, consider setting pets up in a quiet room or crate away from the door.
- Glow up your pumpkins. Jack-o’-lanterns are a Halloween classic, but real candles can turn into a fire hazard. Glow sticks or battery-powered tea lights give the same spooky effect without the risk, and kids can help “light” them safely!
With these eight family-friendly tips, Halloween can be safe, fun and memorable for everyone! And if a scare does happen, whether it’s a twisted ankle, a stomachache or a bump from a fall, providers at Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care will be ready to help.
Patients seeking care can be seen quickly and easily by either walking into any Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care center or through Legacy-GoHealth’s online “save a spot” tool, which allows them to secure their spot in line, check in and complete registration before arrival. For more information, visit gohealthuc.com/legacy.
