Having a safe Halloween

Hmmm. Let’s see…We’ve got the homemade costumes. We’ve carved and painted the pumpkins. We’ve decorated the outside of our houses. We’ve bought the candy treats to hand out.
Now, many of us will be trick-or-treating this week, so let us go over some very important safety tips.
Costumes:
First, and most important, be sure your child is dressed safely. If his mask covers his face, ditch it to be sure he can see. Face make-up is safer. If the mask must stay, make certain it is secure and that the little ghoul can adequately see out of it. Check the length of all costumes. If your princess has a long skirt, be sure it does not touch the ground. Tripping leads to many Halloween injuries. Also be aware of Jack O’ Lanterns as long costumes can catch fire.
Candy:
Be sure to feed your kids an early big dinner before they even get into their costumes. This will lessen the candy requests along the trick-or-treat route. And in case you haven’t heard, there is a major problem with a certain candy this year. Sherwood brand Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled due to the fact that they contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk products that has caused many infant deaths in China. These candies are sold at Costco, as well as many bulk and dollar stores. Please make sure to check your children’s Halloween candy and throw out any Pirate Candy Coins (you know the ones wrapped in the shiny gold foil) and please let other parents know about this! Another good tip is to tuck a piece or two of candy in your pocket, and let them have that instead of what they get in their pumpkins.
Trick-or-Treating:
Go with your kids up to every door they knock on. Yes, I know it is tedious. But this is the only way to be certain they are safe. Possible dangers include candles in decorations, angry dogs, and psycho-crazies who think it’s funny to scare your little kids. So, go to every door!
The Candy Check:
When you get home from your fun night out, let your kids spread out their candy on the table (or floor) and check it for safety WITH you. Tell them the things to look for: opened candy, unwrapped treats, or fruit.
And my last tip is a great little secret. The Tooth Fairy’s cousin, The Candy Fairy, will leave your kids a five dollar bill (or whatever your Candy Fairy can afford) overnight if they are willing to part with all but 5 pieces.