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Community Corner

Halloween Safety Tips From Brandon Regional Hospital

With a little planning, a few precautions and close supervision, everyone can have a safe and fun evening of more treats than tricks.

Halloween is right around the corner. The candy is out in the stores, the costumes are being picked out and the decorations are already going up.

Fall festivals with face-painting, bobbing for apples, hayrides and pumpkin carving will dominate weekend events, while there are plenty of haunted happenings for those who like a little horror with their Halloween.

Patch is also running its own

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With a little planning, a few precautions and close supervision, everyone can have a safe and fun evening of more treats than tricks.

Here are a few tips from on having a fun and safe Halloween:

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Treats: To avoid any “tricks," parents should always examine candy prior to eating. Checking for candy that appears to have been tampered with is important to keep your kids safe. If anything is amiss (even a small tear) it is better to be safe and throw it out. Avoid eating any homemade food items.

Costumes: Make sure costumes are flame resistant. This will help protect your little ghosts and goblins as they hunt for candy.  Avoid costumes with large, billowing materials, which could come into contact with candles more easily. Apply reflective tape to dark costumes, so your little monsters will not disappear into the darkness.

Walking: Always have an adult accompany trick-or-treaters as they roam the sidewalks. Use flashlights and make sure children avoid running. Walk from house to house and be careful to avoid walking between parked cards. Keep an eye out for lawn decorations, as they may be a tripping hazard.

Houses: Only go to homes where there is a light on, and you are familiar with who lives there. Avoid dark, uninviting homes. There is safety in numbers, so venture out with a group of ghouls and their parents for an evening of “spook-tacular” fun.

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