Trick or
Treat: Halloween Safety
By Tenna Perry
Halloween -- it is a time
of ghosts and ghouls, superheroes and fairytale princesses
who go door to door shouting, "Trick or treat, smell my feet..." Actually,
that is how I remember it being done in Houston when I was
growing up. It was done during a more innocent age in American
society when candy wasn't laced with poison or apples with
needles or razors, and a Houston dentist hadn't killed his
own son in an attempt to get the insurance money from the child's
death.
In some areas of the country
today, there are still a few diehards who allow their children
to go trick or treating, and while the safety editor in me
wants to tell parents not to take the risk with their children,
the mother in me wishes all children could once again enjoy
the pleasures of old-fashioned Halloween fun.
With that said,
parents who allow their child to participate in Halloween
fun should
take the following precautions:
1. Make sure the child
is accompanied by an adult at all times and his/her costume
is visible to motorists.
2. Stick to areas where
you know the people.
3. Take note of what candy/treats
are given at which houses.
4. Discard all unwrapped
candy and homemade or "fresh" treats.
5. Examine all wrapped
candy for signs of tampering.
6. If there is a fire
station or hospital offering to x-ray or examine candy and
treats in your area, take the time to have your child's Halloween
haul looked at.
7. Costumes should be
fireproof. Candles are a common Halloween decoration and it
can take but an instant for the gown of a fairytale princess
to go up in flames.
8. Chocolate is a treat
that adults and children love. It is also one that dogs and
cats will partake of if given the opportunity. Chocolate in
pets can be deadly, so be sure to keep it where pets can't
get to it.
While there is a great
deal of fun in dressing up, going door to door, seeing the
homeowners' responses to costumes and the wonder at what may
be given at different houses, a parent should still consider
other possible venues for Halloween fun.
Across the country, malls,
grocery and department stores, churches, firehouses and community
centers offer children safe alternatives to trick or treating.
With a little research, parents can easily find something for
their child to do on Halloween that doesn't put the child at
risk for injury, poisoning or worse.
Halloween, also known
as All Hallow's Eve or Samhain, has been celebrated for centuries
and a study of its traditions can be fascinating, but it is
up to each and every parent to make sure that those same fascinating
traditions don't endanger their children. By using a little
common sense, taking the time to properly oversee the activities
of the child as well as examining the treats that child receives,
a parent can ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween holiday.
Tenna Perry lives
happily in the country with her husband, three children,
five collies, one cat and a hedgehog with an attitude.
She writes on a variety of subjects but dedicates a great
deal of her writing time on fighting all forms of child
abuse. She is the founder/editor of the ezine Survivor
Haven, Abuse and Safety editor at Busy Parents Online and
contributing editor on child sexual abuse at Suite101.com.
