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October 29, 2010
VICTORIA – Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids and families. The Vancouver Island Health Authority wishes everyone a Happy Halloween and offers some tips to help keep it safe and enjoyable for everyone.
“It’s important that children can be seen on dark streets,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Chief Medical Health Officer for VIHA. “Add reflective tape or material to costumes so children will be visible to motorists. Costumes should fit properly, be short enough that kids don’t trip and be made of flame resistant material."
Other important safety tips include:
- Always accompany young children. Older kids should trick-or-treat with a responsible adult and/or in a group. No child should trick-or-treat alone.
- Trick or treat in a safe, well-lit area. Walk on the sidewalk and cross streets only at crosswalks.
- Keep pets indoors.
“Treat candy the same way you do other sweets,” said Areli Hermanson, Community Nutritionist with VIHA. ”Help your child to learn to manage sweets and keep them in proportion to the other food he or she eats.”
Strategies to keep food safety and nutrition a priority:
- Give kids a healthy dinner before they go out trick-or-treating.
- Limit the number of homes your child visits to limit the amount of candy that they bring home.
- On the first night, keep your interference to a minimum (but toss any treats that aren’t wrapped, or that have torn or loose packages. Let the kids lay out their booty, gloat over it, sort it and eat as much of it as they want. Then have your child brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste (children under the age of eight need help with brushing).
- Over the next few days, allow a couple of small pieces with meals and snacks.
- Avoid sending candy in school lunches. Be aware of your school’s policy around nut allergies.
For more Halloween Health and Safety Tips go to www.viha.ca
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Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270 |
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