Local safety experts offer advice for keeping Trick-or-Treat fun for everyone

As families prepare for a fun night of Trick-or-Treating, local safety experts are offering some tips on how to stay happy and healthy this Halloween season.

While traveling door to door for candy can be one of the most fun days of the season for kids, these experts caution parents that safety should always come first and be an important conversation among families. From properly handling collected candy to ensuring children are moving safely through the neighborhood, little things can go a long way to protect against risk of injuries during Trick-or-Treat.

“This year is a special one for our clinical teams as we can once again strongly encourage families and their children to participate in Halloween activities and trick-or-treating events to enjoy the season and spend time with their peers,” said Ned Ketyer, pediatrician and communications advisor at the Allegheny Health Network Pediatric Institute. “Following approval of COVID-19 vaccinations in children older than 5 months, we have seen increasing rates of acceptance which provides an added layer of protection and mitigates community spread as we head into Halloween festivities and the upcoming holidays.”

Keep collected treats safe to eat

As families collect buckets of candy, they should discuss the best ways to stay healthy before digging into the mountain of treats.

After collecting candy, parents should sort through their loot to ensure that there are no immediate risks or opened treats that could pose a risk to young children. While doing this, parents should read the ingredients and separate any candy that may trigger food allergies in their household.

More:Trick-or-Treat times for communities across the Beaver Valley

While communities are in a much better place than they were two years ago, the fall season still remains a period where doctors see a sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases. The start of the flu season is also presenting some threats, especially when it comes to the spread of germs. To combat both of these potential illnesses, families should wash their hands before diving into their treats.

Additionally, parents should set boundaries with how much sugar kids are allowed to eat each day. While the annual march for candy may reward kids with a mountain of treats, excessive sugar can lead to severe stomach aches. Pediatricians recommend rationing the treats with realistic guidelines and eating a satisfying meal prior to Trick-or-Treat.

Costume safety: stay visible and comfortable

Families should also make sure their children are highly visible in their costumes to prevent any accidents.

As hundreds of children enter the roadways, it is important for drivers and pedestrians to consider the safety of these children when traveling in the dark. Without properly seeing where kids are on the road, drivers can potentially cause serious injuries to these Trick-or-Treaters. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be struck by unaware drivers on Halloween than any other night of the year.

"Halloween festivities bring excitement but there is still the potential for dangerous situations to occur,” said Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor for AAA East Central. “If parents will choose costumes with safety in mind, they can help ensure their trick-or-treaters are protected and easier to see at night.”

Some ways to increase visibility include wearing bright colors on costumes or adding reflective tape to Trick-or-Treaters bags and outfits. Kids can also carry flashlights in their bags or buckets, which will make them more visible to drivers. In many situations, glowsticks and glow bracelets can also increase visibility as well.

Families should encourage their children to look both ways before crossing the street, even when excited to get to the next house handing out treats. If a car is spotted, families should remain on the sidewalk and not shine any lights into drivers' eyes as they pass.

Costumes should also fit properly to avoid any trips or falls. Footwear should be comfortable and sturdy, allowing those walking to avoid potential injuries. Mask and other costume pieces should not be worn if they impair vision and all outfits should be flame resistant to avoid potential contact with candles or other open flames.

With colored contact lenses, families should be cautious of buying anything with a "one size fits all" label. Getting decorative lenses without a proper prescription is dangerous and illegal, with the colorful eye changes possibly causing pain or infections for users. In worst-case scenarios, these lenses can also cause permanent vision loss.

Other tips to make Trick-or-Treat fun for everyone

Aside from the typical costume and candy advice, there are a few more tips for everyone to keep the night fun throughout the evening.

One piece of advice from AHN pediatricians is directed to those passing out candy. These residents should be mindful of children who have developmental delays enjoying the holiday, respecting their families' boundaries. Some children may be nonverbal, so they shouldn't be punished or not given candy because they did not ask for treats or say thank you. Additionally, Trick-or-Treaters who are seen as "too old" could have developmental delays and shouldn't be excluded from the fun.

More:Is the blue pumpkin bucket the right choice for your trick-or-treater?

While families are out Trick-or-Treating, they are encouraged to stay in small groups and supervise all children under 12 years old at all times. In case of possible emergencies or accidental separation from the group, adults should review their local emergency numbers and how to contact police officers with their children.

With the spread of the flu and COVID-19, those feeling sick or under the weather are encouraged to stay at home to protect other families. While vaccines have greatly slowed the spread of COVID-19, the highly contagious virus still presents a high risk to those with preexisting conditions and people who are unvaccinated. For those at high risk, facemasks may still be a good idea for Trick-or-Treating.

Families are encouraged to have fun during the festivities and remember to keep their loved ones healthy. Safety isn't a "one size fits all" blanket, so parents should ensure they are doing what is best for their children and be mindful of other families trying to enjoy the night.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Local safety experts offer advice for keeping Trick-or-Treat fun for everyone