Fall celebrations like Halloween and fall festivals are fun for children and offer them the opportunity to dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats. Check out these tips to help make the fall festivities fun and safe.
Snacking
Bring a snack with you for children while they’re out trick-or-treating. Children shouldn’t snack on treats they’ve received until you get home and have the chance to sort and check their treats.
Safe Treats
Tampering is rare, but a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any candies that have the following:
- An unusual appearance or discoloration
- Tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers
- Spoiled or unwrapped items
- Homemade items or baked goods (unless you personally know who gave them)
- When it doubt, throw it out!
Food Allergies
If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Don’t allow the child to eat any home-baked goods he or she received.
Choking Hazards
If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as small toys, gum, and hard candies.
Questions and Concerns
If you have any questions about possible tainted candy, please contact:
- Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222
- Your local police department