What you need to know about the dangers of Halloween
Halloween can be a lot of fun for the whole family, but it is also a time for parents to be extra cautious. Beyond the spooky costumes, a couple of factors make Halloween scary: The number of kids walking on the streets and the abundance of candy.
Twice as many kids are hit by cars on Halloween than on an average day. Dr. Karen Latimer recommends using reflective tape on costumes to make sure drivers can see your kids, even on a dark night. Also, make sure your kids can see out of their Halloween costumes, and also give them a flashlight to carry around with them.
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Wearing sneakers, reminding your kids to use sidewalks and crosswalks and avoiding costumes with cumbersome props and especially weapons will all make for a safer night of trick or treating.
The sheer amount of candy given to kids on Halloween can (and should) give parents pause as well. There are both long-term and short-term risks when kids have a massive intake of candy. Check out all the risks below and avoid them by offering alternatives to candy (like spooky temporary tattoos) or allowing kids to have a couple pieces of candy a day.
Risks of Halloween candy:
Obesity
Diabetes
Tooth decay
Trouble sleeping
Night terrors
Stomachaches
Problems with attention span
Weakening the immune system
Fatigue
Depression
