Lemonade Day Leaders Wish Trick or Treaters a Safe, Healthy and Fun Halloween Experience
By Steven Gordon, Lemonade Day National President
Hours of fun and laughter are in store for kids of all ages who will be venturing out for Halloween activities in their neighborhood, place of worship, school, local community center and other adult-sanctioned location.
Some trick or treaters will be wearing lemonade stands as their costumes. Others will be disguised as Super Heroes, witches, vampires, ghosts, goblins, princes or princesses. Still others might not be into dressing up at all.
Safety Tips
Regardless of what kids choose to wear as they pursue their quest for candy and other yummy treats this Halloween, parents and chaperones want to keep their young charges as safe as possible.
Here are the top five tips from Safe Kids Worldwide regarding Halloween Safety:
-
Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
-
Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
-
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
-
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
-
When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Source: www.Safekids.org/Halloween
Health Considerations
Halloween may very well be the kickoff of the “not so healthy” holiday eating season. That said, most parents and guardians don’t want their youngsters binging on whole meals of candy, cookies and desserts for days and weeks on end.
The America Academy of Pediatrics also offers some excellent tips, some of which are listed here:
Strive for a “Healthier Halloween.”
-
A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
-
Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
-
Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
-
Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.
Consider food allergies. Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. It's important that parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction:
-
Always read the ingredient label on treats. Many popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.
-
If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.
-
Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce many different products. Also, "fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.
-
Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.
Follow this link for more tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Enjoy the Experience
Adults can have fun, too, while joining the kiddos on the Halloween trick or treat adventure. Why not sport a costume yourself? Why not play spooky music if you are home awaiting your Halloween visitors?
Enjoy every second and savor every bite of that sweet treat. And if you raid the kids’ candy when they go to sleep? Oh, well! Strange and mysterious things happen on Halloween night!
back to blog
By Steven Gordon, Lemonade Day National President
Hours of fun and laughter are in store for kids of all ages who will be venturing out for Halloween activities in their neighborhood, place of worship, school, local community center and other adult-sanctioned location.
Some trick or treaters will be wearing lemonade stands as their costumes. Others will be disguised as Super Heroes, witches, vampires, ghosts, goblins, princes or princesses. Still others might not be into dressing up at all.
Safety Tips
Regardless of what kids choose to wear as they pursue their quest for candy and other yummy treats this Halloween, parents and chaperones want to keep their young charges as safe as possible.
Here are the top five tips from Safe Kids Worldwide regarding Halloween Safety:
-
Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
-
Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
-
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
-
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
-
When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Source: www.Safekids.org/Halloween
Health Considerations
Halloween may very well be the kickoff of the “not so healthy” holiday eating season. That said, most parents and guardians don’t want their youngsters binging on whole meals of candy, cookies and desserts for days and weeks on end.
The America Academy of Pediatrics also offers some excellent tips, some of which are listed here:
Strive for a “Healthier Halloween.”
-
A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
-
Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
-
Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
-
Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.
Consider food allergies. Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. It's important that parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction:
-
Always read the ingredient label on treats. Many popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.
-
If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.
-
Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce many different products. Also, "fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.
-
Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.
Follow this link for more tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Enjoy the Experience
Adults can have fun, too, while joining the kiddos on the Halloween trick or treat adventure. Why not sport a costume yourself? Why not play spooky music if you are home awaiting your Halloween visitors?
Enjoy every second and savor every bite of that sweet treat. And if you raid the kids’ candy when they go to sleep? Oh, well! Strange and mysterious things happen on Halloween night!
STAY CONNECTED TO LEMONADE DAY NATIONAL
@LemonadeDayNational