Our team at UF Health offers these tips for a ghoulishly fun — and safe — holiday

by Dr. Diane Howell

Fall is in the air, which means Halloween is around the corner. The celebration of spooks and hallows is a favorite of all ages. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your family’s holiday is fun and safe.

Dress (and accessorize) for Success

Planning a costume can be exciting for children and adults alike. However, it’s important to make sure your costume isn’t a risk.

• Wear colors that are bright and reflective or add reflective tape so the costume can be easily seen at night.
• Use face paint, rather than a mask, to improve the wearer’s ability to see.
• Make sure accessories like swords and canes aren’t overly sharp or tripping hazards.
• Be sure at least one member of the group has a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Cutting Up

Carving a jack-o-lantern is a time-honored tradition, but one wrong move can turn a fun family activity into a trip to the E.R.

• Encourage younger children to outline their pumpkin’s face or color it in with markers and leave the carving to adults.
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick to light your creation to avoid unintended fires.

Out on the Prowl

Stay safe while trick-or-treating. Pedestrian injuries are common on Halloween.

• An adult should accompany younger children while making trick-or-treating rounds.
• In advance of trick-or-treat night, discuss your route and the return time with older children who are going out alone — and stalk their cell phone.
• Accept treats from the porch only. Do not enter a home. Avoid homes that don’t have the porch light on.
• Stay in groups, walk on sidewalks or at the far edge of the road facing traffic and use crosswalks. Never assume cars see you, especially if night has fallen.

Spread Fun, Not Germs

Halloween is at the same time as the busy cold and flu season.

• If you or your child are under the weather, skip the trick-or-treating. Instead, consider arrangements with neighbors for your child to stop by for make-up trick-or-treating at another time. Alternatively, put on a fun Halloween movie and make it a couch party by snagging treats from the candy bucket.
• To prevent getting sick while out and about, wash your hands before eating and avoid touching your face with dirty hands.

Staying Safe at Home

Most families leave at least one person at home for the trick-or-treaters who come your way. Here are tips to keep your house from getting toilet-papered by unhappy visitors.

• Remove tripping hazards, such as hoses and bikes, from the front yard, porch and sidewalk.
• Make sure driveways and porches are well lighted.
• Restrain pets so they don’t frighten or harm trick-or-treaters coming to the door.

Enjoying Your Loot

Depending on their route, trick-or-treaters may come home with enough candy to last months. Keep the following in mind to avoid tummy aches and cavities.

• Kids should wait until they get home to eat goodies, allowing an adult to check the treats to ensure nothing looks spoiled or suspicious.
• Rather than gorging at one sitting, spread the fun and eat small amounts of candy in the days following Halloween.
• Brush twice daily, particularly after eating sticky treats like taffy, candied apples and gummy bears.
• Consider a treat exchange. After letting a child enjoy some of their treats, offer to exchange the rest for a book, toy or game they’ve been wanting. The candy stash at work can always use a refill, and you’ll spend less on dental bills.

Halloween is exciting for the whole family. The tips above will allow your household to have an especially fun and safe holiday.

Dr. Diane Howell is a pediatrician with UF Health.

Gators Going Batty

Did you know that on balmy nights in Gainesville, 400,000 bats leave the nest and fan out across the University of Florida campus? 🦇 ⠀
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You can name one of those bats in honor of a loved one. When you donate, you’ll receive a certificate with the bat’s name, suitable for framing, to present to your loved one. The namesake will remain on campus, making the rounds at The Swamp.

The Name a Bat Adoption Agency opens October 10. Watch your email for your chance to name these UF residents.