Skip to main content
Clear icon
85º

The scary truth about Halloween: These tips will help keep your kids safe

Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year, officials say

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Got your costume? Candy? Your route all planned out? But do you know where the real danger lurks on Halloween? Between the delta variant haunting our plans to unsafe costumes and dangerous treats, there’s a lot to think about this holiday.

Here’s how you can avoid something scary happening to you or your children this year.

We’ve all been living the COVID-19 nightmare … but how will it haunt our Halloween? The CDC recommends to play it safe outdoors and spaced out. Avoid contact by leaving a bowl of candy on your patio instead of handing it out this year.

Experts say a costume face mask does not provide protection against the virus, and wearing both could impair your breathing. Your best bet is to wear a protective Halloween-themed mask instead.

Cheap costumes can be frightening as well. Most costumes are not fire retardant or flame retardant. Pay attention to the fabric. Natural fibers will burn away from you, while polyester materials will burn towards the skin.

And don’t forget to slow down. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Some of these treats can be pretty scary, but which is the best and which is the worst?

Fun-sized peanut M&M’s have protein and fiber and are just 90 calories. A small Snickers has just 80 calories.

On the flip side, Reese’s peanut butter cups pack 220 calories and 16 grams of sugar.

Eighty-two percent of parents fail to include any visibility aids on their kid’s costumes. Decorate costumes with reflective tape, but avoid using glow sticks. The liquid inside could make your children sick if they break and children ingest it.

One more tip -- put emergency identification on your child’s costume or arm, with their name, phone number and address in case you get separated.

Source: https://www.radlawfirm.com/blog/2019/10/common-halloween-accidents/ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/do-halloween-masks-protect-you-from-covid-19/ https://newschannel20.com/news/local/how-flammable-is-your-childs-halloween-costume https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/best-and-worst-candies-for-your-health/, https://www.eatthis.com/worst-halloween-candy/

Contributor(s) to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Robert Walko, Videographer and Editor. To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk


About the Author
RJ Marquez headshot

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

Recommended Videos