I realize that the calendar says fall started back in September, but at my house, fall doesn't really start until Halloween. My wife and I spent many wonderful evenings roaming the neighborhood with the kids collecting treats with all the other ghost and goblins. To keep Halloween fun for everyone, follow these simple rules:
- Check to make sure your kids are wearing costumes that are made of a fire-retardant material. And avoid flowing fabrics that might trip a child or be hard to walk in. Put reflective material on dark costumes so they're visible to traffic.
- Also, have your children carry flashlights. This helps prevent stumbles and makes the kids more visible to traffic and others.
- Inside each young child's costume, place a name tag with home address and phone number just in case the child gets lost.
- Use non-toxic facial makeup rather than masks, which limit peripheral vision.
- Young children should trick-or-treat with a responsible adult. Plan a specific route, and stay in familiar areas. Set a time for older children to be back home. Discourage late-night trick-or-treating.
- Don't let kids eat their loot while out trick-or-treating. Everything should be brought home and inspected first. If any wrapping looks suspicious, or if you have other concerns about whether a treat is safe to eat, throw it away.
- And this reminder for everybody….
- Remember, Please Drive slowly on Halloween. We all need to be alert …because even if you follow the rules… a child could dart across the street in a dark costume.
For the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, I'm Dr. Tedd Mitchell, and this is the President's Prescription.
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