Dr. Alice Madani
Though some of us dread the exit of summer, the cooler air brings the beauty of Fall colors and excitement of Halloween.
Halloween's fun sometimes overshadows the more spooky aspects of the day that could potentially affect your little ones. Keep this Halloween safe and fun with a few helpful tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
To be sure children are seen, costumes should be bright and reflective, as well as short enough to prevent entanglement, tripping or contact with flames. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup or decorative hats as a safer alternative. Always test make-up in a small area first and be sure to remove it before bedtime to avoid possible skin and eye irritation. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, be sure to look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
Dr. Alice Madani, pediatrician with McLaren Lapeer Region, says "Do not use decorative contact lenses. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "˜one size fits all,' or "˜no need to see an eye specialist,' obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal."
She says, "This can cause pain, inflammation and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss."
To keep kids safe on the trick-or-treat trail, parents should always accompany young children on their routes. Because pedestrian injuries are most common on Halloween, remind your trick-or-treaters to stay in a group and communicate where they will be going. Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Notoriously, Halloween is more about the treats than tricks, but there are ways to keep your child from overindulging on sweets this holiday.
Dr. Madani says, "Avoid children filling up on Halloween treats by planning a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating."
Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books, pens and pencils. Most importantly, wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
To make an appointment with Dr. Madani, visit mclaren.org/lapeerappointments.