Get Healthy: Be safe when trick-or-treating Thursday evening

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Thursday evening, on All Hallows Eve, children around Carson City will set out in search of fun and candy. This year, trick-or-treating, also called Beggars Night, in Carson City and many surrounding communities will actually take place on Halloween.

Western Nevada Safe Routes to Schools and Carson City Health and Human Services would like to share some tips to make Halloween safe, healthy and enjoyable.

Tips for trick-or-treaters

Safety in numbers: Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Be safe, be seen: Use flashlights so you can see where you are going and attach reflective tape to costumes and bags to help others see you.

Look left, look right, look left again: Look both ways before crossing the street. Use sidewalks and crosswalks wherever possible.

Don’t slip and trip: Wear costumes that fit properly to make sure you don’t trip and fall.

Avoid stranger danger: Only trick or treat at houses that are well-lit. Do not go inside the house of anyone you do not know.

Bundle up: This year’s Halloween forecast calls for a high temperature near 60 degrees, but with lows dipping below freezing after dark. Wear plenty of warm clothing to avoid frostbite.

Tips for the community

Be sure walkways and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from things that could ignite, such as doorsteps, walkways, landings, costumes and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.

If you are driving, be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters and drive safely.

As one young Carson City resident pleaded last week, think of the kids in your neighborhood. While Halloween is a fun time to have a little fright, over-the-top gore and violent-looking displays may not be appropriate for the many youngsters who will be out and about.