From St John's Ambulance... some good tips here!
Have a Happy, Healthy, Flu Free Halloween: Tips from St. John Ambulance to Reduce the Risk to Kids this Halloween
With all the talk of flu and H1N1 this year some parents may be hesitant to let their children out trick or treating. Though there is some risk of getting sick there is no reason to discourage children from going out. Instead use this opportunity to reinforce good hygiene and flu prevention with your children. These tips from St. John Ambulance will help parents and children enjoy a happy, healthy Halloween.
• Wash your Paws, Claws, Hooks and Hands: Hand washing is one of the most basic and most effective ways to prevent getting sick. Pack your little monsters off with some hand sanitizers or wipes and make sure they know to wash their hands before snacking.
• Catch it in Your Sleeve: Remind kids to cough or sneeze into their sleeves or a tissue.
• Avoid Common Surfaces: Instead of knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell, encourage kids to shout "trick or treat!" at the houses they visit.
• Don't Grab for Goodies: When handing out candy this year, avoid letting kids dig around in the bowl – instead use clean hands or a scoop to distribute goodies.
• Keep it to Yourself: If you or someone in your household is sick, don't hand out treats. Kids want candy, not germs.
• Plan Ahead: No parent wants to keep their child from having Halloween fun; but if they're sick, they should stay home. Plan ahead for Halloween at Home – rent a scary movie the kids may want to watch, play games, have a Halloween candy hunt or let the kids trick or treat to different rooms in the house. There is lots of fun to be had with family at home.
Remember there are plenty of scary things about Halloween but the flu shouldn't be one of them. For more information on the flu, visit www.fightflu.ca and have a happy, healthy Halloween from St. John Ambulance.
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