People of all ages love Halloween, but it can be a holiday that spreads germs and leaves you visiting the doctor a few days later. By taking precautions to stay clean and checking that the candy is safe before eating, you and your family can keep healthy through the rest of the season. Here are three tips for how to stay safe during Halloween.

How to Stay Safe on Halloween

1. Check the Candy

Remember that during trick-or-treating, your children are given candy from strangers. Therefore, it’s important to inspect the treats before allowing the kids to indulge. Throw out any candy that isn’t commercially wrapped, and inspect everything else for holes, tears, or discoloration. It’s not worth risking eating something that looks suspicious, so just toss it out. 

2. Offer Healthy Food 

Make sure to feed your children a full, healthy meal before trick-or-treating. That way, their tummy will be full and it will help them control how much candy they eat. In addition, putting out healthier snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, will create a good balance and prevent their blood sugar from spiking too high. High-fiber foods also keep processed sugar from destroying the teeth quickly.

3. Wash Hands Often

As your children will be playing and interacting with other trick-or-treaters, they need to wash their hands as often as possible to prevent spreading germs or getting sick. Many houses allow the children to stick their hands in the candy bowl to choose their own treats, so these can become germ-filled. Take hand sanitizer with you during trick-or-treating to stay safe. 

If you are looking for a pediatrics doctor for your child, reach out to Northwest Community Health Center in Libby, MT. This health center offers a wide range of health care services, from behavioral health to dental health. You can also pick up your prescriptions on site at their fully stocked pharmacy. Call (406) 283-6900 to schedule an appointment with a doctor, or visit them online to learn more about their services.