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Halloween Safety Tips for Your Gainesville Family

October 17, 2017
Dental Care

Halloween is a fun time of year for kids (and often adults!) to get dressed up in fun costumes and head out to Trick-or-Treat. While you enjoy the festivities, it’s also important to focus on safety.

Being a part of the Gainesville community, we just want to make sure that families and kids stay safe this Halloween. With that in mind, here are a few tips courtesy of the CDC.

Trick-or-Treat in Groups

No child should head out on the hunt for candy alone on Halloween. In most parts of the country, trick-or-treating begins after dark, and small children might not be easily spotted by drivers on the road.

Additionally, being in a pair or group, with at least one adult, ensures everyone is well-supervised. So, make it a group adventure and share the experience with friends and family members. Not only is it the safer way to go, but it can also be more fun too.

Use Reflective Tape or Clothing and Carry a Flashlight

Most trick-or-treating occurs after nightfall. To help ensure you are seen by passing drivers (especially if you or your child’s costume is predominately a dark color), use reflective tape on clothing items and bags to ensure you stand out. Carrying a flashlight is a great idea to make sure you are easy for drivers to spot you while also lighting the path ahead so you don’t trip!

Examine All Treats Before Eating

Every sweet your child collects while trick-or-treating should be closely examined before anyone (including adults!) takes a bite. Review the contents of your kid’s bag for potential choking hazards, items that may have been tampered with, or those that aren’t completely wrapped or sealed.

Homemade treats should only be accepted from people that you know well, especially if anyone in your family has a food allergy.

Use Safe Accessories

Many costumes come with items like swords and knives to complete the look. When this occurs, examine them carefully to make sure that they are an appropriate size and made of soft, flexible materials. This helps lower the risk of accidental injury to yourself, your family, and others you may pass.

Additionally, check all masks to make sure they provide a suitable amount of visibility. The ability to see out of a mask is important for you or your child to avoid tripping hazards and obstacles.

Typically, it’s always best to avoid decorative contact lenses, as they have the potential to cause serious eye injuries even in experienced contact lens wearers.

By following the recommendations above, you can help keep your family safe while enjoying everything Halloween has to offer including trick-or-treating in the Gainesville area!

Tags: Dentist, Halloween, Halloween Safety Tips, Trick-or-Treating
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