Fitness Facts: Halloween health and safety tips – GCU Today

By Connie Colbert
GCU Director of Health Services

Halloween is Sunday! It can be a fun time for children, families and adults attending parties, but following a few simple tips can make it safe and healthy, too. 

  • Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
  • All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
  • Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups.
  • Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
  • Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
  • Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don’t run from house to house.
  • Always test makeup in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.
  • Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
  • A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
  • Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
  • Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you.
  • Agree on a specific time the child should return home.

A few extras to think about while COVID is still around:

  • Door-to-door trick-or-treating is riskier since it involves interacting with many people. But if you choose to go ahead with the tradition, ask around in advance and find out who in your neighborhood is planning to participate.
  • Keep large groups of kids from crowding around the same door, especially if they are shouting, “Trick or treat!”
  • Giving out candy? Consider wearing gloves and toss the candy, or pre-fill goodie bags for physically distanced pickup on a sanitized table. Look for clever ideas such as making candy chutes, zip lines or other fun ways to get candy to trick-or-treaters while maintaining 6 feet of distance.
  • Parents don’t need to wash or sterilize candy wrappers: Hand hygiene is more important. Remind children that they can dive into their tasty treasures only after returning home and thoroughly washing their hands.

Alternatives to trick or treating can still be fun:

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