HSE mychild.ie shares top tips for a fang-tastic Halloween

To help parents prepare for next week’s Halloween celebrations, the HSE’s mychild.ie shares some tips and advice to keep everyone safe, happy and healthy over the mid-term break and beyond.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE’s Child Health Public Health Programme and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said:

“Halloween conjures up a lot of excitement for families every year, costumes, pumpkins, trick or treating and lots more. This Halloween we are highlighting it is that time to consider giving your child a vitamin D supplement due to the dark winter months and the lack of sunshine, as well as sharing ways parents can reduce the usual seasonal risks from choking to burns. Our message to everyone is to keep health and safety advice in mind this midterm to help prevent injury or illness, and limit stress, during this magical time.” 

Tips for helping boys and girls (and ghosts and ghouls) to stay safe, strong and healthy

Vitamin D

From Halloween to St Patrick’s Day, give your child a daily vitamin D supplement to keep teeth, bones, muscles and immune systems healthy.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone conditions such as rickets in children. Children aged 1 to 4 years need 5 micrograms, while children aged 5 to 12 years need 10 micrograms.

During the dark winter months, we tend not to get enough vitamin D from the sun or from food.

More the merrier

Make sure your child is supervised by an adult when trick or treating. If there is a group of children this year, an adult at the front and at the back of the group is a good way to keep an eye on everyone.

Treat check

Food is the most likely thing that a child will choke on. Check your child’s trick or treat bag, removing any choking risks and ensure the sweets and items are suitable to their age and developmental stage. For example, never give a child under the age of 5:

• whole or chopped nuts including peanuts (smooth nut butter or crushed/ground nuts can be given)
• marshmallows
• popcorn
• chewing gum
• small hard round or oval-shaped sweets - these include fruit gums, jelly beans, lollipops, chocolate mini eggs
• small hard chocolates.

For more information about this, visit mychild.ie.

Flame-free family fun

Plan activities that don’t include fireworks or bonfires.

There are lots of simple ideas online for ways to play and keep children occupied.

There may be free family events in your area organised by local community centres, councils, libraries and other organisations.

CE costumes

Look for the CE mark if buying fancy dress costumes. This means it has met European safety standards.

Looking for a ‘flame resistant’ label is also important. There are often more candles and fire hazards around at Halloween and a flame-resistant costume will protect your child better in the event of an accident.

Wearing “normal” clothes under their costume may also give some protection should the costume catch fire; and for added warmth if outside trick or treating.

Don’t choose costumes with oversized shoes or long material that could cause a trip or fall.

Be safe and seen

With evenings dark at this time of year, it’s important to ensure that both adults and children can be seen when out and about, particularly if you are out on Halloween trick or treating.

Ideally your child should wear lighter coloured clothing or have a reflective strip on the front and back, or a high visibility vest and carry a torch.

It is a good idea to avoid poorly lit areas and use footpaths where available.

If you are driving at Halloween, remember to slow down and watch out for children in dark costumes.

Button batteries

Make sure button batteries are out of reach of children as they are harmful and present a choking risk.

These are found in musical toys, books and novelty decorations.

Bring your child to your local emergency department if you think they may have swallowed one.

Virus-free zone

Children are twice as likely as adults to catch flu.

Take the opportunity of the school mid-term break to bring your children for their flu vaccine. It is a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine, available free for children aged 2 to 17 from participating GPs and pharmacies.

Winter ready

Plan ahead to what you might need if your child becomes ill over winter, such as who can care for them at home, and items like a thermometer and over-the-counter medicines to relieve symptoms.

Dr Collins concluded:

“Additionally, the mid-term break is a great opportunity to get ‘winter ready’ for all the coughs and colds that circulate this time of year. Protect your child from the flu this year with a free nasal spray flu vaccine. The flu vaccine will help protect your child from getting an unpleasant dose of flu, as well as any vulnerable family members, such as grandparents or newborns they might see over the winter.

“By following the safety advice of the HSE and emergency services, children and parents can have a fun, stress-free mid-term with their family and friends. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy Halloween!”

Emergencies

Despite best efforts, accidents can happen.

If your child’s clothes catch fire: get them to stop, drop and roll.

This involves them stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands and rolling until the fire is out.

If they cannot stop, drop and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.

If their skin gets burnt and it is safe to do so, hold the burnt skin under cool running tap water for 20 minutes and seek medical help right away.

In an emergency phone 999 or 112.