HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!
EVEN THE MOST FRIGHTENING GHOULS NEED TO BE CAREFUL
Before heading out for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there. CHOOSE SMART COSTUMES Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right-sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. MAKE A PLAN Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.
Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night. PRACTICE STREET SAFETY Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.”
KARA’S CORNER You might not expect a dental hygienist to say this, but I’m here to tell you that letting your kids enjoy some Halloween candy is totally fine. Of course, it’s important to not let them gorge themselves on more sugar than any human needs. With proper moderation and a few techniques, candy be eaten without too much risk for your children’s teeth.
Candy Rules for Halloween
The first important consideration is deciding which types of candy to avoid. Anything excessively sticky — taffy, caramel, etc. — can lodge between teeth and even cause damage, especially to less structurally sound baby teeth. If a piece of candy is stickier than, say, a Starburst, think twice about giving it to your little ones. The other big category to steer clear of is slow-dissolving candy like Jolly Ranchers and suckers. These products stay in the mouth for a long time, increasing the time that teeth are exposed to sugar. When children eat candy is important as well. Snacking on it throughout the day is a bad idea because it results in many hours a day spent with sugar in their mouths. Instead, dole out a few pieces after dinner. Post- meal time, when mouths are producing lots of saliva, allows sugar to be broken down more quickly and with minimal amounts of the acid that can lead to decay. When you pack candy in a child’s lunch, be sure to include an apple or a piece of cheese as well. These items, which we call “buffer
foods,” create an environment in the mouth that decreases the impact of sugar on teeth and gums. Drinking plenty of water alongside candy is another smart tactic. As an alternative, you could always pick up some sugar-free candies. In fact, I would actually encourage children to enjoy products sweetened with xylitol, because it creates a healthy pH level in your mouth, which goes a long way in preventing cavities.
So can your kids enjoy candy without worry? Yes, but not if they have free reign.
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