Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- With Halloween and trick-or-treating right around the corner, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital encourages everyone to make the health and safety of their family a priority.
Below are some tips to ensure a “SAFE HALLOWEEN.”
S – Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
A – Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F – Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or wear a blinking light to help drivers see you.
E – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
H – Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
A – Always test makeup in a small area first. Remove before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
L – Look both ways before crossing the street, use crosswalks where possible and walk, don’t run!
L – Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O – Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
W – Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked visions, trips and falls.
E – Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
E – Enter a home only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit homes; never stop at a dark house.
N – Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Food Allergies
While trick-or-treating is meant to be fun, it can be an anxious time for families affected by food allergies. Here are five tips for those affected by food allergies:
- No eating until you are home. There will be better lighting and less distraction – allowing you to properly read and check all of your labels to make sure the treats are safe to eat.
- Read labels carefully. Some miniature candies have different labels than regular sized versions. Read every label – even if you’ve eaten it before. If there’s any doubt at all – don’t eat it.
- Avoid home-baked goods. Unless you’ve had clear communication to make sure they’re allergen-free!
- Have safe treats ready to swap! Have a stash of safe treats or prizes at home. When your child pulls an unsafe treat out of their bag and is disappointed they can’t eat it – you’ll have a safe alternative ready for them.
- Have self-injectable epinephrine and a fully-charged cell phone with you during trick-or-treating. Accidents can happen – so be prepared!
By following these tips, you can help ensure your kids have a safe and Happy Halloween!
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit the hospital’s website at stanthonyshospital.org. HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 15 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville, and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.
