If your family is trick-or-treating or adding some spooky decorations to the house, it’s important to keep safety front of mind.<\/p>\n

Pediatric and orthodontic experts from University of Rochester Medicine suggest following these tips to make sure your child has a fun\u2014not frightening\u2014time:<\/p>\n

1. Be seen in the dark.<\/h3>\n

Being struck by a car is the greatest risk for trick-or-treaters. As well as reminding your child about traffic safety, pediatrician Elizabeth Murray<\/a>\u00a0encourages parents to incorporate glow sticks and reflective material into costumes.<\/p>\n

“Remember that sparkly or shiny doesn’t necessarily mean reflective,” she emphasizes.<\/p>\n

2. Choose the right costume.<\/h3>\n

If your trick-or-treater has a disability, consider an adaptive costume, which is specially designed to accommodate the needs of people with physical, sensory, or developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n

These costumes use features like Velcro fastenings, openings for medical devices, and designs that fit over wheelchairs to make the outfit functional and comfortable for trick-or-treaters with mobility aids, sensory sensitivities, or medical equipment.<\/p>\n

3. Decorate with sensory sensitivities in mind.<\/h3>\n

Halloween can be difficult for children with sensory sensitivities. Lisa Latten<\/a> explains, “There are lots of noises and flashing lights that can be overwhelming and difficult to process.”<\/p>\n

To make sure your house decorations are fun for all trick-or-treaters, consider avoiding anything that jumps out or spontaneously makes loud noises. And, if possible, try to choose less scary decorations, like pumpkins rather than a goblin or spooky ghost.<\/p>\n

4. Get candy that’s right for your house.<\/h3>\n

If your trick-or-treater has braces or a permanent retainer, Dimitrios Michelogiannakis<\/a> and Nadia Abou Kheir<\/a> suggest skipping candies like:<\/p>\n

\n
• Nuts and popcorn<\/li>\n
• Chewy candy like caramels, taffy, and Starburst<\/li>\n
• Hard candy like lollipops and candy corn<\/li>\n
• Bubblegum<\/li>\n
• Jellybeans<\/li>\n
• Sour candy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  “These candies can damage the braces and set your orthodontic treatment back,” says Michelogiannakis.<\/p>\n

  Instead, the American Association of Orthodontists suggests softer candies<\/a> that melt in your mouth, like:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Chocolate (without nuts<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  • Peanut butter cups<\/li>\n
  • Marshmallows<\/li>\n
  • Cotton candy<\/li>\n
  • Kit Kat bars<\/li>\n
  • Cookies<\/li>\n
  • Three Musketeers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    If your child does get something stuck in their braces, try washing it out with water, brushing, and flossing. If a bracket comes loose, call your orthodontist to make an appointment.<\/p>\n

    Source: University of Rochester<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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