Halloween Health and Safety Tips
Did you know that Halloween has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities? According to a 2019 study, the risk of being hit by a car is 43% higher on Halloween.
Traffic accidents aren’t the only scary health issue on the year’s spookiest night. Consuming massive amounts of sugar, excess alcohol consumption, and allergy risks all impact health and wellness.
Thankfully, with caution and planning, you can enjoy the Halloween treats without the tricks.
Five Wellness Tips for Halloween
1. Avoid Accidents
The excitement of trick-or-treating can cause people to pay less attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, this can lead to trips, falls, and even collisions with vehicles.
To keep children safe, ensure an adult accompanies kids while trick-or-treating. Remember to follow all standard safety rules, like looking both ways before crossing the road. Also, wear reflective clothing or purchase glow stick necklaces or bracelets to wear. You can stay safer when drivers can see you better in the dark.
2. Choose Alternative Treats
Halloween includes lots of candy and sweet treats. Consider passing out an alternative snack with less sugar: pretzels, sugar-free gum, microwavable popcorn, snack-sized crackers, or another healthy snack option.
Not only will choosing treats with less sugar give the kids a better option, but you’ll also have less temptation to dip into the candy supply.
3. Choose Allergy-Free Treats
The Teal Pumpkin Project® promotes allergy awareness during Halloween. The project allows families to list their home on local maps to let kids with allergies know their house has safe treats.
To participate, put out a teal pumpkin on the porch. Then, hand out non-food treats. Fun options include party favors, small toys, play dough, hair accessories, pencils, stickers, and more. Most children will be happy about the surprise, and their parents will be glad to have one less piece of candy.
4. Swap Out Candy
Trick-or-treating is fun! But too much sugar is bad for our health. Sugar can cause cavities. Plus, when candy lingers for weeks after the holiday, it can create a habit of eating too many sweets.
Over time, eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and blood sugar problems. To avoid overconsumption, trade your children’s candy for a toy or other gift. Food pantries will typically accept candy donations. Also, many local dentists collect candy to send in care packages to troops.
5. Watch Alcohol Intake
Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol on Halloween typically doesn’t negatively impact health. However, drinking too much can lead to lapses in judgment, which could cause accidents.
Never drink and drive. Also, be careful when drinking while accompanying trick-or-treaters. You want to have a clear mind to keep everyone aware and secure.
Have A Safe and Fun Halloween!
Halloween is more fun when everyone stays safe and feels great. Take the time to discuss Halloween safety with your family.
Follow our tips for a healthy Halloween. When you need care, contact Founders Family Medicine to schedule an appointment in Castle Rock, Colorado.
