Get Healthy Carson City: Residents can make Halloween safe and healthy

This weekly column addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Q: What trick-or-treat safety concerns apply to residents?

A: There is a lot of safety advice for trick-or-treaters regarding costumes, visibility, treats and traffic. But we who hand out the treats need to be mindful of safety as well. The experts offer some great tips.

PREPARING YOUR YARD

Before the big night arrives, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges us to insure our yards are safe by doing the following:

• Remove any items a child could trip over, such as tools, hoses or toys

• Rake and/or sweep leaves, especially wet, slippery ones, from walkways and steps

• Remove any debris or trash on the property

• Scoop poop from lawns

• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs

SAFE DECORATIONS

Halloween decorations can be festive and scary, yet also safe. On Halloween night, be sure to illuminate decorated areas sufficiently to prevent tripping over, for example, a gravestone. Cords and wires should be covered if on the ground, or strung high enough to be out of reach. Avoid the use of real flame in decorations like luminarias or jack-o-lanterns in areas where kids will be walking. During trick-or-treat time, turn on all of your outdoor and porch lights.

TREAT IDEAS

The treats you hand out should be commercially packaged because wise parents discard anything that is not. You can be creative and offer non-candy treats such as toys, pencils or spider rings. Healthy treats are also an option. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests avoiding sticky candy such as caramels, nougat and taffy, which can stick to the teeth and cause damage. Alternatives are individually wrapped granola bars or mini packets of trail mix or crackers.

OPT OUT POLITELY

If you are not handing out treats, it's a good idea to signal this to the kids by turning your front lights off during trick-or-treat hours. Children are instructed to only go to homes with porch lights on.

BE KIND TO PETS

The American Veterinary Medical Association urges pet owners to take the following steps at Halloween:

• Keep your pets indoors and confined away from the trick-or-treat door

• Keep candy treats out of pets' reach

• Keep candles away from pet areas. Besides being a fire hazard, they could singe a furry tail

• Avoid dressing pets in costumes unless you know they really love it and are comfortable

• Keep decorations out of pets' reach

Carson City Health and Human Services Clinic

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment Monday-Wednesday and Friday

WHERE: 900 East Long Street, Carson City

CALL: 775-887-2190

VACCINATION IS THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST THE FLU!

CCHHS offers flu injections for $20 and nasal mist for $25. No appointment is necessary.

WHEN: 8:30-1:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. Thursday is Immunization Day

No appointment needed

775-887-2190

WHOOPING COUGH

EPIDEMIC IN CALIFORNIA

In neighboring California, confirmed cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, is now four times that of last year. Local health officials encourage Tdap boosters for any adult up to 64 years of age that is in close contact with an infant. Whooping cough boosters for adults and vaccine for infants is available at Carson City Health and Human Services.

On the Web

www.gethealthycarsoncity.org

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• Pam Graber is the public information officer at Carson City Health and Human Services. Contact her at 775-283-7906 or pgraber@carson.org.