As a school trustee and parent, Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The excitement of dressing up, going trick-or-treating, and spending time with friends and family create lifelong memories for our children. With all that fun comes the responsibility of keeping our kids safe—and the dreaded candy hangover that can follow Halloween night. While Halloween is a thrilling tradition, remember that all fun has to be combined with a dash of caution. As you prepare for this year's festivities, let me suggest how we can keep our children safe and healthy without waking up the next morning with a sugar crash.
1. Safety First on Halloween Night
Above everything else, safety should be at the top of the list. Children will be out in the streets trick-or-treating, and most will be so hyped up that they may easily forget basic safety precautions. It is up to us, as parents and guardians, to take or remind our kids of the following safety precautions:
a. Be Visible: Allow your child's costume to be visible in the dark by adding reflective tape to their costume or providing them with a glow stick so drivers can see them walking around the neighborhood. Flashlights are also a great tool to help your child stay visible and safe.
b. Stay Together: Younger children should stay with an adult at all times, and older children need to be reminded to stick together, not walking and trick-or-treating alone. Trick-or-treating in groups is not only much safer but also a lot more fun.
c. Be Street Safe: Instruct kids to walk on sidewalks, cross at crosswalks, and not to run from house to house. It can be very dangerous running down sidewalks, and there are people on the roadways too.
2. Avoid the Candy Hangover
For most parents, Halloween includes one particularly daunting task: What to do with the mountain of candy our kids bring home? Understandably, kids love to indulge in their treats, but overconsumption of candy can result in stomachaches, difficulty sleeping, and even long-term habits of overconsumption. Here are some strategies that can help sidestep a notorious candy hangover:
a. Limit Candy Intake: Let children know how much candy they are allowed to have on Halloween. For instance, they can have a few pieces after trick-or-treating, but they should also save some for later. Remind them that they shouldn't eat it all in one sitting.
b. Healthy Balance: Give your kids a healthy meal before trick-or-treating. This may help dampen a candy craving later. Similarly, when they return home, you can balance candy consumption with non-sugary snacks or beverages.
c. Candy Exchange: Organize a way for kids to trade in some candy for other treats, such as small toys, books, or extra screen time. This can help cut down on candy consumption without feeling they will be missing out on Halloween treats.
3. Inspect Candy Before Eating
Probably the most important thing parents can do after kids return from trick-or-treating is to thoroughly inspect their candy before allowing them to open any of it. Look for packaging that seems unusual in any way, such as torn wrappers, punctures, or unsealed candy. Get rid of any homemade treats unless they came from a trusted source, and remain aware of small candies that are hard and can choke younger children. By taking just a couple of minutes to go through their haul, you can make sure your kids enjoy candy in a safe manner.
Halloween is a magical night for children. By stressing safety and smart candy consumption, we can ensure it is an upbeat experience for one and all. A little planning will avoid not only safety risks, but also candy hangovers, so that our children can truly enjoy Halloween with no downsides.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Sincerely,
Fiona Shiells
School Trustee - West Ward
St. James-Assiniboia School Division
For more information on Trustee Shiells, visit her bio.
