By Marsha Reese
Are you planning to take your grandchildren trick or treating? Maybe their parents will be taking the time to share those memories. Either way the supervising adult may appreciate some halloween safety tip reminders. Autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are highly anticipated by children and some adults. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered these tips we all may want to review again.
Going trick-or-treating? Remember…
| Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. | |
| Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. | |
| Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. | |
| Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. | |
| Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house. | |
| Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. | |
| Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. | |
| Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. | |
| Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. | |
| Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. | |
| Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. | |
| Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers. | |
| Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
Some parents and grandparents will skip the begging from door-to-door and opt for a party. Kids also love a good party. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this is the perfect opportunity to provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses are also recommended.
Don’t forget about the use of party games to get kids moving for their daily dose of at least 60 minutes of physical activity. The treat for everyone is to have a safe and fun event.
Editor’s note: Some grandparents and parents will be substituting Halloween for Harvest Day or Autumn Events because of the dark side of Halloween. However you decide to enjoy the day, go through your check list to keep halloween safety first.
Marsha Reece is a media consultant that has gained success through a variety of business ventures. Her passion most of her life has been working in the media and entertainment industry. She now uses her talents for research and development to create media campaigns.
Marsha’s most impressive undertaking was as founder and former co-owner of WRDQ, Channel 27 in Orlando, Florida. This project from concept to creation boasted a tower height of over 1,875 feet. While at WRDQ, Marsha was the General Manger and hosted a weekly community based television program.
The entertainment industry has played a huge part in her life. She is also the former owner of an Orlando based full service multi-media production facility that served professionals and students with their projects. During her career she also worked in broadcast television as a news reporter and TV anchor at WFTV, Channel 9 in Orlando. Fourteen years were spent delivering information consistently on highly rated news programs that affected the community in an eight county area. Behind the camera, she has worked as a newsroom manager, producer, featured newspaper writer, photographer, and a film, tape, and digital editor. She has received awards for both her work in media and community service.
Marsha is married with two adult children and is a grandmother. She is also “A Mother Again” taking on the challenges and joy of helping to raise her 3-year-old grandson since he was born. She will soon be a published blogger that will utilize her skills to produce children’s products currently in development.