What a fun time of year! Get the most out of your holiday with the Halloween safety tips below, thanks to Dr. Jessica Long.

There’s a chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes are in hand, and spooky decorations are popping up all over town. It’s officially almost Halloween and the excitement is palpable in our house as I bet it is in yours. As you put the finishing touches on your costumes, read up for tips on how to have a safe and fun holiday.

Getting Festive
Safety starts with the right costume! Choose face paint over masks whenever possible to ensure your child can see, and make sure costumes fit well and won’t trip your child as she’s bolting from door to door. While brightly colored costumes are safest, that is not always possible when your four-year-old insists on being a black hole. Use reflective tape and stickers to decorate costumes and treat bags and have your kids carry glow sticks or flashlights so they are easily seen by drivers.
When finding the perfect accessories for your child’s costume, there are some things to keep in mind. Make sure wigs or capes are flame-retardant and that swords, knives, and other accessories are short, soft and flexible. Also, avoid decorative contact lenses. While they look really cool, the risk for eye injury or infection is just not worth it.

Trick or Treat
Yes! The part when you – oops I mean your kids – get candy! Plan to trick or treat with your children especially if they are under the age of 12. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends that if your child is over 12 and mature enough, she can head out with friends as long she knows exactly how far from home she can stray as well as when she is expected back at her door. Walk on sidewalks when available and always cross at the crosswalk (a hard concept for kids when darting back and forth across the street seems a much more efficient way to maximize their candy haul).

Time to Dig In!
Counting how much candy you got is possibly even more fun than the actual trick or treating. Make sure your kids have a big, healthy dinner before going out for the night so they are less likely to over-indulge in treats later in the evening. Throw out any unwrapped or tampered-with candy and double check choking hazards for your little ones (hard candy is not recommended for children under the age of 4).
Now what to do with all the leftovers once everyone (you included) has gorged themselves on mini Twix bars? Donate it! Swing by Spring Valley Pediatrics by November 10th to unload your stash. We will weigh your goodies and donate $2 to hurricane relief for every pound you drop off. All that extra candy will then be sent to US troops. What a perfect way to finish off the holiday!