Halloween Safety Tips

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Diabetes;  Public Health
Article Date: 19 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Very shortly, trick-or-treaters will be hitting the streets and heading to your doorstep. Following are some tips on how you can have not only a happy Halloween, but a safe one as well.

"Battery powered jack-o-lanterns are much safer to use than real candles in a carved pumpkin. However, if you plan on using the real candles, they should be kept well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing," said Jennifer Zimmer, M.D., an internist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.

One more fire tip…make sure paper or cloth yard decorations, like ghosts, pumpkins and witches, won't be blown into flaming candles.

"Also remember that flower pots, water hoses, ladders and other tools should be kept well away from trick-or-treaters so little ones can avoid falling and injuring themselves," said Dr. Zimmer.

If you're going to be driving on Halloween be sure to take it slow all evening. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars. And if you're heading to a party, do not wear your mask while driving as it will impede your line of sight.

And one last tip…"I really feel children ought to be chaperoned while they're trick or treating when they get home though, it's going to be very important for the parents to remember to remove any suspicious candy or any opened candy for that matter," said Dr. Zimmer.

HALLOWEEN CANDY AND DIABETES

As all the little ghosts and goblins head out for an evening of trick or treating…out come the candy dishes. But who really needs to avoid the sweets? There are 20.8 million children and adults (7 percent of the population) in the United States who have diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. The incidence of diabetes is on the rise. Experts believe the increase is due to many factors, the most significant of which is increasing obesity rates and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. Many cases of diabetes can be controlled with exercise and proper diet, even on Halloween.

"About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes will occur each year and, according to the most recent data by the American Diabetes Association, the disease contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002. So, if you have diabetes stay away from the Halloween candy," said Elizabeth Schaub, dietitian and certified diabetes counselor on the staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.

If you're looking for an alternative handout this Halloween try non-food treats, such as plastic spiders, Halloween monster finger puppets and stickers. If you want to give food treats, try low-fat popcorn. These type items make great goodies for the little ones.

And remember…"Whether you have diabetes or not, eating too much sugar and junk food is never good," said Schaub.

Baylor Health Care System
2001 Bryan St., Ste. 2200
Dallas, TX 75201
United States
http://www.BaylorHealth.com