For some children, Halloween is a really exciting time. If you have children who are keen for a bit of Trick or Treating this year, there are a few really easy things that you can do to help keep them nice and safe on their candy-foraging-fest.
So, here are some tips and reminders:
- Check costumes for a CE tag. This doesn’t mean they are completely inflammable, but it does mean that they have been safety tested.
- Open flame tea-lights... do you really need them? Trick or Treating can be quite chaotic, adding a fire source isn’t always a great idea. Using LED tea-lights instead seems a safer idea, however these usually have a button battery that can be easily accessed. Hmmm…. no thanks.
- Ensure children can be seen in the dark… could you sew in a reflective strip to the costume? To be honest, I am not much of a seamstress and will just give the kids a torch each #easyoption
- Always layer up. Dress your little one in non- polyester clothes underneath their costume. This will provide a layer of protection incase of contact with an open flame. Plus… this will keep them a little bit warmer!
- Avoid putting your little one in a bulky costume if travelling somewhere in the car. Apply the old ‘winter coat principle’, and pop their costume on when you arrive at your destination (I sounded like a flight attendant there!!!!).
- If your little one has allergies, consider giving your neighbours “safe treats” for your children to avoid disappointment. Also, if your little one does have allergies… you have probably already considered this and don’t need me to tell you! You are an amazing #proactiveparent!
- (This is my favourite one) It is absolutely vital that you eat all sweets that may pose a choking risk. Eat them yourself, with a cuppa at the end of the night. What a thoughtful parent you are.
Unfortunately, Halloween is a time to talk about the dangers of choking.
Think of the “treats”.
They can be hard.
They can be sticky.
They can be squishy.
All of these characteristics make an item of food a greater choking risk.
So if Trick or Treating is a tradition you follow, here’s a couple of reminders to help minimise the risk of choking:
- Supervise your child eating the treats
- Ensure they are sitting down when eating
- Scoop out any that look a bit risky (and enjoy with a cuppa later on!)
If this stuff makes you fell uncomfortable, I hear you. Choking is a scary one for parents. Nip it in the bud and complete some training with me to replace your first aid fears with first aid facts.
Enrol now in our online course Get Confident with Choking.
