Guidance for a spooky, safe Halloween

Children of all ages love the magic of Halloween. Putting safety and health first will help make trick or treating Thursday night a great memory for the good ghouls in your life.

For all its sweetness, among the biggest scares is Halloween candy. The New Mexico Department of Health’s Office of Oral Health recommends:

• Healthy dinners before Halloween festivities.

• Go easy on the treat consumption — don’t overindulge.

• Drink water — it helps wash away food particles and reduce acidity caused by sugary treats.

• Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly, especially before bed.

Think of caution with costumes because one size does not fit all:

• Make sure you and those with you can see clearly through your masks.

• Facepainting is a great mask alternative but consider putting a small bit of makeup on a small part of an arm to test for an allergic reaction before putting it on you or anyone else’s face, particularly children.

• Make sure any costume fits well to help prevent trips and falls.

• Decorative contact lenses without an eye doctor’s prescription are not a good fit. Avoid store-bought lenses to prevent increased chances of eye scratches, sores or infections.

When trick or treating:

• Use flashlights or glow sticks to see and be seen.

• Reflective tape or strips on costumes can help in the dark.

• Stay on sidewalks wherever possible — and look both ways before crossing the street.

For more Halloween safety tips visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2019/10/halloweentips/.