Your health: Stay safe on Halloween

Halloween will be here in a few days, and many kids will be out trick-or-treating. It’s an exciting night for all of the costumed children. To help ensure safety, I’ll share some tips from the American Society of Pediatrics, as well as some of my own thoughts.
All dressed up
– Costumes should fit properly and be bright, reflective and flame-resistant.
– Facial makeup and hats are worth considering as an alternative to a face mask that can block vision.
– If a sword, cane or stick is part of a costume, it should not be too sharp or too long.
On the trick-or-treat trail
– A parent or responsible adult must accompany young children on their rounds in the neighborhood.
– Trick-or-treaters should only go to well-lit homes and should not enter any houses.
– Groups should remain on well-lit streets and use sidewalks or the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
– Each group should carry a flashlight and a cell phone.
– Walkers should cross the street at crosswalks and never cross between parked cars.
– Older children and teens going out without an adult should let parents know where they are going, have a curfew to return and stay in a group.
Home safe home
– Clear a path to your door to avoid tripping a child.
– Keep the pathway and the doorway well lit.
– Restrain pets that might cause harm to a child.
Carving a niche
– Adults, not children, should handle pumpkin-carving knives. Children can scoop out the insides and draw a face on the pumpkin for an adult to cut out.
– A battery-powered light is safer than a candle to give jack-o’-lanterns their eerie glow. It’s best to avoid using an open flame in any decoration.
A healthy Halloween
– Youngsters should have a good meal before they collect all their sweet goodies.
– When they return home, a responsible adult should inspect the treats and discard anything that is spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious.
– Rationing candy means it may be enjoyed for many days following Halloween.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Terry Hollenbeck, M.D., is an urgent-care physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley. Readers can view his previous columns on his website, valleydoctor.wordpress.com, or e-mail him at

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. Information in this column is not intended to replace advice from your own health care professional. For any medical concern, consult your own doctor.