How to Have a Safe and Festive Halloween

How to Have a Safe and Festive Halloween

Contributed by Pamela Brawer, R.N., CCE, certified American Heart Instructor and Certified Childbirth Instructor, and founder of Save-A-Tot.

It’s that time of year again when the weather gets cold, pumpkin lattes pop up everywhere and houses are decked with black bats, cobwebs and witches hats. It must be Halloween! As parents we are always excited for baby’s first anything. First words, first steps, and the first Halloween is no exception. Even though your baby will be too young to trick or treat, it is still a great opportunity to create memories. So attend a party or throw your own, take lots of pics and be sure to read some helpful tips from Pamela Brawer about keeping everyone happy and safe this Halloween:

1. Choose a costume for your little one that is made from flame-retardant material. This one seems obvious, but it is worth repeating.

2. If your baby has started to walk or move around, don’t choose a costume that restricts her movement too much. She might get testy if she can’t move around the way she usually does.

3. When selecting a costume, make sure it isn’t too big or hangs over your little one’s feet to prevent trips and falls.

4. If your child is older and will be out trick-or-treating, consider adding reflective tape to the costume or candy bag that your child is carrying. Or give your child glow sticks or a flashlight to help him see and be seen by drivers.

5. Make sure that any mask fits securely and provide adequate vision and ventilation. Also, keep in mind that many toddlers and children don’t like the feeling of wearing a mask, so consider using face paint or makeup.

6. Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach of little ones and away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.

7. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out between parked cars or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture or clotheslines present dangers.

8. Children should never enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.

9. Urge children to wait until they get home and you have had a chance to inspect the contents of their candy bags. Anything unwrapped should be tossed.

10. And if your children are young make sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies and small toys.

Pamela Brawer has 20 years of experience at a major teaching hospital in NYC where she specialized in L/D and pediatrics. She is the founder of Save-A-Tot, a program that educates expectant and new parents and caregivers in childbirth education, infant care, nanny training, infant/child CPR/ first aid and assists parents in planning for their baby’s arrival. For more information about her and her classes, visit http://saveatotcpr.com/ or email her at saveatot@gmail.com.

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