Safety First At Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner, and according to the National Retail Federation Americans are projected to spend more than $10 billion on Halloween goodies, decorations and costumes. WOW!! Even though it is a one-day event, you’ll probably want to rein things in if you have little ones, and not let the focus be on candy and sugar. Here are a few tips for a safe and healthier Halloween celebration.

Safety is always first when children are trick-or-treating:

• Add reflective tape to costumes so they are seen easier in the nighttime.
• Be sure the costumes fit well and are not too long, which may cause tripping.
• There is always safety in numbers and with guardians going along for the fun.

Consider having a party at home or in the neighborhood instead:

• Enjoy fun games, like pin the tail on the witch.
• Have a costume parade for the neighborhood.
• Offer healthy munchies like popcorn, make-your-own mini pizzas, pumpkin muffins, and fresh fruit with cinnamon yogurt dip.

If you have trick-or-treaters come to your home, consider giving out fun items rather than candy. For example:

• Fun stickers
• Peel-on tattoos
• Colorful pencil and markers
• Marbles
• Rubber balls

If you are going to give out candy to trick-or-treaters, give out what you don’t like and buy a small amount so you do not have extras around the house. If you do end up with extra candy, freeze it and dole it out over the next few months crush or cut it up, put it into bags and freeze, and then add candy pieces later throughout the year to brownie, cake or cookie batter 

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About the Author

Rita Smith is a registered dietitian and has been working in the field of nutrition and disease prevention for more than 35 years and where she worked at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Each week, Rita provided nutrition counseling to clients who have a variety of disorders or diseases, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis and weight management. For these clients, food choices can help them manage their health problems.