Trick or Treat Safety Tips From the FDA
By: Michelle Yarn GALTime Staff
What kid doesn't look forward to collecting bags and bags of candy and other treats on Halloween? For parents, though, the thought of your little ones stuffing their faces with mystery food is enough to haunt you all year! So if you want your little ghouls and goblins to have a happy and healthy Halloween -- keep these tips from the FDA in mind:
Don't let your kids eat and walk
Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating. Urge your children to wait until they get home and you have had a chance to inspect the contents of their "goody bags."
Make sure they trick-or-treat on a full belly
The best way to keep children from tearing open their candy early is to give them a light meal or snack before they head out - don't send them out on an empty stomach
Related: Kids, Candy & Cavities
Commercial candies are best
Tell children not to accept - and especially not to eat - anything that isn't commercially wrapped. While it's a nice gesture to hand out homemade cookies, if you don't know and trust the person who made them, don't take a chance.
Make sure your child's treats are age appropriate
The FDA advises parents of very young children to toss any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys. If you have an older child too, maybe you can have them trade.
Related: Minimizing Halloween Diet Damage
Always inspect the goods before giving the "OK" to dig in.
The first thing the kids should do when they get home is dump their bags. You can sort through the candy together, maybe even make a game of it. Look for any signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious. Also, if your child has allergies be sure to double check the ingredients. When in doubt, throw it out.
Do parents take Halloween safety too seriously? Do you let your kids eat their treats without a second thought?
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