10 October27,2007 NewsHopperTM

Power Rangers, princess-es and some pretty scary monsters are only a few of the costumed characters you’ll probably see walking through your neighborhood

on Halloween. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 36.1 million children between the ages of five and 13 headed out for trick-or-treating fun around the country in 2006. As many youngsters look forward to a night of dressing up and filling

bags of candy while go-ing door-to-door, special

emphasis should be placed on safety to ensure everyone has a good time.

“It seems like the buildup to Halloween keeps getting bigger every year,” said Alice Byrne, Field Vice President for the Midwest Region of Allstate Insurance. “And before parents get their chil-dren ready for trick-or-treat-ing, some simple steps for child safety should be taken before the doorbell ringing and candy gathering begins.” Allstate Insurance and the National Safety Council offer some excellent guidelines for preparing children and parents for a truly Happy Halloween:• Ensure children under

age 12 are supervised by an adult or older responsible youth. Plan and discuss the

route your trick-or-treaters intend to follow• Instruct children to travel

only in familiar areas and along an established route• Teach your children to

stop only at houses or apart-ment buildings that are well lit, never enter a stranger’s home and establish a return time• Drivers should watch for

children darting out from between parked cars• Dress children only in

fire-retardant costumes• Keep costumes hemmed

so they don’t cause children to trip. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional inju-ries on Halloween• Decorate Halloween cos-

tumes with light-colored and light-reflecting material if kids will be out after dark• Use facial make-up in-

stead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision• Give children an early

meal before sending them trick-or-treating. Tell children not to eat any treat until they return home and - WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! Memories of Halloween

trick-or-treating last for years after the candy is gone. Make it a safe holiday by looking out for young participants taking part in one of our old-est annual traditions.

Make it a safe Halloween for all trick-or-treaters

Get ready for the Mummy to ring your doorbell

Confusion over candy labels makes trick-or-treating even trickierFor many of the 3.1 million

American children with food allergy, the candy they get while trick-or-treating is the spookiest part of Halloween. And the growing popularity of allergen advisory labeling may confuse them and their parents as to which candies are safe and which should be avoided.“Many of the most common

food allergens are found in candy,” says Anne Muñoz-

Furlong, founder and CEO of the Food Allergy & Anaphy-laxis Network (FAAN). “For some children, just one bite of the wrong food can bring on anaphylaxis - a severe al-lergic reaction that can cause death.”Eight foods account for 90

percent of all food-allergic reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Of these, only the last two

are not likely to be found in candy.The incidence of food al-

lergy has doubled in the last 10 years, and scientists aren’t sure why. More than 12 million Americans - one in 25 - are caught up in this life-altering epidemic, which results in 150-200 deaths and more than 30,000 emergency room visits each year. There is no known cure; strict avoidance is the only way to

prevent a reaction.To make matters even

trickier for those dealing with food allergy, an in-creasing number of food manufacturers are labeling their products with advisory warnings about the possible unintentional presence of common allergens. Because these warnings have become so common, consumers have begun to ignore them in the belief that they’re not serious, which puts them at increased risk for a reaction.A study reported earlier this

year in the Journal of Allergy

and Clinical Immunology found that fewer parents are heeding the warnings today than did several years ago. Advisory labeling typically includes such statements as “may contain [allergen],” “manufactured on shared equipment with [allergen],” and “manufactured in the same facility with [aller-gen].”Parents are urged not to

ignore these warnings on Halloween treats.As a non-candy alternative

to raise money for food al-lergy research and education,

FAAN has organized its fifth annual Trick or Treat for Food Allergy campaign for this Halloween. Participants of all ages will collect coins instead of candy in specially marked collection boxes. The campaign is sponsored by Abbott, makers of EleCare® and other specialty nutrition products for children. For more information, contact FAAN at 800-929-4040 or visit www.foodallergy.org on the Web.

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Tinkerbell is a very sweet and loving girl, she instantly bonds to the volunteers who come to spend time with her. She will be a lifelong companion for the lucky family that adopts her. Her adoption fee includes up to date shots, rabies, deworm-ing, mircochipping and neuter-ing. If you would like to give Tinkerbell a second chance at life, call Star of the North Hu-mane Society at 218.245.3732 or visit www.starnorth.org to view all available animals. 24 hour adoption process.

Michelob - Grey tabby kittenMichelob is one of 24 res-

cued kittens that are patiently waiting for wonderful homes. He’s quite a joker and loves to play around and wrestle. He is also very loving with people and really likes to snuggle. His adoption fee includes up to date shots, rabies, deworming, and neutering when he is old enough. If you would like to give Michelob a second chance at life, call Star of the North Hu-mane Society at 218.245.3732 or visit www.starnorth.org to view all available animals. 24 hour adoption process.

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It’s that time of year when ghosts and ghouls frolic with witches & vam-pires. Towns are transformed by jack-o-lanterns offering their Cheshire cat grins, while homes are awash in Autumn hues & dotted with spider webs & garden gravestones.

Halloween is a magical time for kids, but it’s also a time of year where safety should be as much a priority as collecting candy.

Roughly 40 million costume-clad tricksters, ranging in ages from 5 to 14, take to the streets each year in search of Halloween booty. With so much volume in areas across the country on one particular day, & the na-ivete of this target age group, the responsibility falls on parents & other well-minded adults to ensure Halloween is a safe time for trick-or-treaters. There are measures to take whether you’re manning the door or escorting the troops around town, in addition to general tips to heed. Check each item as you complete the task.

SCARE TACTICSIn advance of Halloween, follow this advice.Help children choose costumes that will be safe. Hems should be rea-

sonably cut so that tripping will not occur, & proper footwear should be worn.

Masks can be hot & obscure vision. Consider water-based, hypoaller-genic face paints instead. Use caution when applying around the eyes.

Stock up on glow sticks or flash lights children can carry. This way they’ll be able to illuminate the way when dusk falls. They’ll also be more visible to other pedestrians & drivers. Inexpensive flash lights are often sold at home centers & supermarkets. What’s more, they typically come in orange - perfect for Halloween.

Map out an area that the children are allowed to visit, one you feel is safest. Set curfews. One safe option is to plan to take trick-or-treaters to a shopping or strip mall, where store owners often oblige candy-seeking children. It’s well lit and public enough to improve the safety odds.

HOUSE OF HORRORS?While a home can be decked out to fit with the Halloween theme, it

should also be safe enough to welcome visitors to the door.Take the time to identify & remove tripping hazards leading to the door-

way. These may include flower pots, decorations, garden hoses, etc.A spooky appeal is one thing, but your front door & walkway should be

well lit enough for trick-or-treaters to make their way safely.Animals may be extra jumpy or weary on Halloween - they’re simply not

used to the added activity. Keep your pets locked safely in another room so they won’t lunge for the door, or worse, get outside.

Consider purchasing non-food fun treats for those who come a-calling. They’ll be safer & more fun alternatives to sugar-laden candies. Or, healthy, individually wrapped foods can be another unique idea.

Keep a first aid kit fully stocked and nearby in the event of accidents. It is also a good idea to learn CPR & The Heimlich Maneuver as extra precau-tion for children who are gobbling up treats en route to your door.

HAUNTING THE ‘HOODIt’s easier to control safety at home, but while out and about, there may

be inadvertent dangers.Explain that children should remain on the sidewalk or illuminated

paths. They should know the danger of darting out into the street or across driveways and alleys. Drivers can have a difficult time making out children in the twilight.

Obey all local traffic and pedestrian regulations, such as crossing at crosswalks.

Assign a chaperone, either you or perhaps an older sibling, who can ac-company younger children. Don’t let young kids go out alone.

Children should not enter the homes of strangers. Be sure they are aware of this rule.

Inform children not to indulge in their treats before they get home.

AFTER THE PILLAGINGOnce trick or treating is over, the safety measures continue.Treats need to be thoroughly checked by an adult when children get

home. Tampering is rare, but proper precautions should always be taken.Divide up the candy so that it can be enjoyed over the course of days

following Halloween, and not just gorged on the day after.Make sure treats are age-appropriate, and keep candy out of the reach

of young children. Some may pose a choking hazard.

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