Halloween Candy Safety Tips

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Halloween is just about here and with that we want to talk about some Candy Safety Tips that everyone should follow.

• Instruct your children not to open their candy until they return home
• Inspect all candy for visible signs of tampering before you let your child eat any
• Accept only wrapped and packaged candy
• Do not eat any candy that has been or looks unwrapped or opened
• Avoid chocking hazards such as gum, hard candies, or small toys to young children

And of course, when in doubt.. throw it out!

You may also want to limit the amount of candy your children consume on Halloween night. A good idea is to make sure they eat a filling meal before or after trick or treating depending on the time. Moderation is key in keeping children, and their mouths, healthy for the Halloween holiday.

For more information on how to enjoy a healthy Halloween, see the AAPD's tips for keeping your children's teeth front of mind.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For kids (and parents too), Halloween is one of the best night's of the year. But as fun as it is to dress up and go out with friends and family to collect buckets of candy - trick-or-treating can also be dangerous if you aren't careful.

Take a look at some of these vital safety tips before venturing out this Halloween:

Pre-plan Your Route
Whether you are accompanying your kids or they're old enough to go out on their own, planning a route in advance is a big help. Trick or treating can take you several streets away from your house which can lead to sore legs and frustration. Stick to paths you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost. If your kids are going out on their own, have them check in regularly, by phone or by stopping back at home and make sure they do not deviate from the preplanned route.

Wear Comfortable Shoes
All that walking requires comfort. Girls should avoid heels to avoid discomfort. Make sure the shoes fit properly and shoelaces are tied as to not trip in the dark.

Hem Your Costume
Speaking of avoiding tripping, long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous. Make sure your child tries on the costume and it is at an appropriate length. Cut or hem anything that could make them fall.

Be Seen
Even though Daylight savings isn't until this weekend, it still gets dark pretty early. Apply reflective tape to your child's costume to make sure they are seen by drivers on the road. Carrying a flashlight is another great idea as well.

Make Sure YOU Can See
If a mask must be worn to complete a costume, make sure the holes for the eyes are large enough to clearly see both in front of you and out of the peripherals. You may need to cut the eye holes larger for more visibility. An alternative to a mask is using non-toxic make-up to complete the costume.

Use Flexible Props
If your child's costume involves a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won't cause injury to your child or their friends.

Check Your Candy
After a fun night of trick-or-treating, parents be sure to check your child's candy as you sort through at the end of the night. Anything that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been opened, throw away. We'll be doing a candy need-to-know post in a few days so stay tuned!

Us here at Adelberg & Montalvan want to wish you and your family a very Happy and SAFE Halloween. Don't forget to bring in your candy from November 1st - 9th to participate in our candy buy back program for the troops!