Halloween Safety & Health Tips from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

As the sun goes down and trick-or-treaters start roaming the streets of your neighborhood, there are several things you may worry about as a parent or guardian. I worry constantly on Halloween about my children and other kids as well.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY & HEALTH TIPS

Use this Halloween checklist to help your little ghouls and goblins stay safe and have fun!

FIGHTING THE FLU

Influenza is an unpredictable virus, and sporadic cases of the flu have already been reported across the country.  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is urging families to visit a pediatrician and get children vaccinated as soon as possible to be protected from the flu virus this year.

TIPS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE FLU

1.       The most important way to guard against the flu is to get the flu shot.

2.       Clean your hands:

a.       Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.  Teach kids to wash their hands long enough by singing “Happy Birthday” twice.

b.      You must wash your hands using soap and water after using the restroom, before eating, after contact with any bodily fluids, and after coughing or sneezing

c.       Other times, use alcohol based hand sanitizers for cleaning your hands which are actually more effective against killing germs

3.       Always cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your upper sleeve or elbow.

4.       Disinfect high-traffic areas that may collect germs.

5.       For more flu prevention tips, visit choa.org/flu.

KIDS II STRONG LEGS RUN

The 29th annual Kids II Strong Legs Run benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is this Saturday, Nov. 2 at Turner Field – and it's not too late to sign up! Interested participants can register at Big Peach Running Co. locations through the end of the day Thursday or in person the day of the race.

Schedule of Events

8:00 a.m. – 10K (Timed and untimed runners)
9:15 a.m.  – 5K Run/Walk (Timed and untimed runners)
10:00 a.m. – Mascot Trot (Children 10 and under)
10:15 a.m. – 2K Family Fun Run and Stroller Roll

You can visit choa.org/halloween for several Halloween-specific safety and health tips.