Have A Happy (and Healthy) Halloween

By thirdAGE

Halloween is everyone’s favorite fright night, here are some top tips to stay happy + healthy this Halloween! 

Here are simple top tips for safe costuming:  

• Wear costumes made of fire-retardant materials; look for “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon. Make sure you do the same for your kids.

• Wear bright, reflective costumes or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible; make sure the costumes aren’t so long that you’re in danger of tripping.

• Wear makeup and hats rather than masks that can obscure your vision.

• Test the makeup you plan to use to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. How? Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it, a couple of days in advance. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.

• Only wear decorative contact lenses if you saw an eye care professional and got a proper lens fitting and instructions for using the lenses.

Here are simple top tips for consuming candy safely – especially if you’re supervising any trick-or-treating little monsters:  

• Tell children not to accept—or eat—anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.

• Don’t let them eat candy until it has been inspected at home. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

• Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.

• Trick-or-treaters should eat a snack before heading out, so they won’t be tempted to nibble on treats that haven’t been inspected.

• Place candle-lit jack o’lanterns and luminaries on sturdy tables, and keep them out of the reach of pets and small children. As well keep them away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains.

H A V E   A   S A F E  +  H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N !

Reprinted courtesy of the FDA. For more information from the agency on consumer issues, click here.