Halloween is right around the corner, and while it’s one of the most fun and frivolous holidays celebrated in the U.S., it can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. The whole notion of “never take candy from strangers” gets thrown out on this night and unfortunately both accidental and intentional food hazards can happen. A couple tips for staying safe:
Candy Inspection Make sure your child goes trick-or-treating on a full stomach, so you’re they aren’t tempted to snack while they’re out. Candy inspections on Halloween have become a must, and your child should not eat anything before inspection. Look for discolored candies and any tears or holes in the packaging. Only after each piece of candy has been inspected thoroughly should your child be allowed to eat anything.
Dry Ice While the name can be misleading, dry ice is not edible. Many times it is used in cauldrons or “witches brews” which is unsafe and should not be consumed. It’s so dangerous, in fact, that you shouldn’t even touch it. It is always advised that dry ice be “kept away from children” and handled with gloves to avoid frostbite-like burns.
Choking Hazards Make sure to check for choking hazards if you have small children. Gum, hard candy and small toys can all be small enough and hard enough to choke on. If you have a small child, make sure to carry their treat bag for them to keep them as safe as possible from these hazards.
Homemade Treats Homemade treats are tricky, because the gift-er obviously spent lots of time and energy on them. But unfortunately homemade treats can be the most dangerous. Not only are they easy to intentionally make dangerous, but they if a cupcake was made from bad eggs, or something wasn’t properly refrigerated it can give you food poisoning. If you are well-acquainted with the person gifting the homemade treat, use your own discretion,
Bobbing for Apples Bobbing for apples is a Halloween classic, but it can spread bacteria and germs very quickly. To reduce the risk of sickness, wash the apples first and make sure the child takes it with them. If they don’t like apples, still keep it removed from the rest. Another idea is to change out the water frequently, especially if someone seems to be coughing or sneezing.
So there you have it, three important ways to stay safe this Halloween; safe haunted houses, safe tricks and safe treats. For more information on personal injury, visit our Killen personal injury lawyer blog.
About the Author: Jeff Davis is the Owner of the Davis law firm and a highly experienced Waco and Killeen personal injury attorney. To find out more information about a Waco or Killen personal injury lawyer, please visit www.jeffdavislawfirm.com.